Not that stupid . . .

Pakistan not to allow use of its territory against Iran: Mushahid


ISLAMABAD, Mar 5 (APP): Chairman of Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Mushahid Hussain Syed said Monday that Pakistan would not allow its territory to be used against Iran in case of any conflict in the region. He was talking to a 9-member Dutch Parliamentary delegation headed by Hans Van Baalen, chairman of the Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands, which called on him at the Parliament House.

Endorsing Iran's quest for nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, he underscored the need for serious negotiations to break the existing deadlock on the Iran nuclear issue.

Mushahid said Pakistan is located in a very volatile region and it is important for the world powers to take this into account while shaping their policies.

He said Pakistan desires a peaceful and stable Afghanistan as it is in the interest of the region.

Mushahid said Afghanistan must not try to put the blame on Pakistan for its internal problems.

Referring to the Kashmir dispute, he said it is not a border issue between Pakistan and India, rather it is the issue of the right of self-determination of 15 million people, which is sanctified by the UN Resolutions.

Speaking on the occasion, several members of the Committee urged the US, EU and other states to pave the way for a serious dialogue with Iran on the pattern of North Korea to resolve the nuclear issue.

They also urged the international community to put moral and diplomatic pressure on India for resolving the Kashmir issue.

The senators deplored the trend of associating terrorism with Islam and emphasized that the Western think tanks and media in particular must play their role in promoting better understanding between Islam and the West.

The Committee members advocated that there is a need to address the root causes of terrorism like poverty, injustice and deprivation.

They called for an early resolution of long-standing disputes like Kashmir and Palestine to promote harmony and ensure a conflict-free world.

The world community must shun double standards on non-proliferation and human rights, the committee members urged.

The members informed the delegation that Pakistan is sincere in holding talks with India to resolve all outstanding issues including Kashmir.

The Dutch team commended Pakistan's pivotal role in the global war on terror and for serving the cause of peace in the world.

The members of the delegation shared the view that there should be greater parliamentary exchanges between the two countries for better appreciation of each other's point of view.

The delegation acknowledged that the Afghan government has to try to provide good governance to its people and to strive for their socio-economic development.

The Senate Standing Committee appreciated the Dutch assistance for rehabilitation of October 8 earthquake-victims and Dutch role in peace keeping operations around the world.

Among others the meeting was attended by Senators Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Nisar A. Memon, Mrs. Gulshan Saeed, Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, Muhammad Talha Mahmood, Sardar Mahtab Ahmad and Prof. Khurshid Ahmad.

Original article posted here.