No meeting between Taliban, Gilani in Qatar: FO
10 February, 2012
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said on Thursday that no meeting between Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and representatives of Afghan Taliban were held in Qatar as no such meeting was in schedule.
Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit told his weekly press briefing that a misconception was created that the Prime Minister had a plan to hold meetings with Taliban.
He said that Gilani visit to Doha was exclusively focused on bilateral relations with Qatar, though, regional situation and peace in Afghanistan also came under discussion in the meetings between the Prime Minister and Qatari officials.
About the initial talks between Taliban and the US, the spokesman said the American diplomatic sources had briefed Pakistani officials over their contacts and talks with them. However, he declined to comment on meeting between Taliban and the US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Ambassador Marc Grossman in Qatar.
"Better this question be asked US State Department instead of me, they can confirm or reject such question," he added.
Responding to a question about different approaches of China and Pakistan over support to the UN resolution against Syria, he said, "Some amendment in the resolution enabled us to support it. Every country, that either voted for or against the resolution had their own valid reason. Our friendship with China is time-tested and everlasting." But Pakistan always stands for respecting independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of all the countries including Syria, he further said.
On the ongoing row over the US drone attacks, he said that such actions are unacceptable but after completion of the parliamentary process, Pakistani officials would have clear policy in this connection.
Regarding the issue of Afghan refugees, the spokesman reiterated that Pakistan is engaged with the UN agencies for their return but with honor and dignity.
Over the US pressure around the world against trade with Iran, he said that as far as the IP gas project is concerned there is no change in the position of Pakistan.
Basit said that trilateral summit of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran in Islamabad next week will focus on counter-terrorism and drug trafficking.
He said that Pakistan was quite busy on diplomatic front this week. Prime Minister Gilani visited Qatar and held negotiation on energy and bilateral relations. the foreign minister visited Russian Federation for improving bilateral relations, "Pakistan is facing energy crises and it also hold talks on this issue with Moscow". "Russia also have interest in Pak-Iran gas project." The Lankan President is also visiting Pakistan and so on, he said.
Amid the rumors of Pakistani officials meeting during the prime minister visit with Taliban in Qatar, a reaction was noticed in Kabul.
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