ISLAMABAD, October 05 (ONLINE): Pakistan has said it is not opposed to Afghan refugees but it is opposed to illegal refugees.
“No change has come in Pakistan policy about Afghan refugees. Pakistan has hosted million of Afghan refugees open heartedly for years. All illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan will be expelled in phases. No final date or deadline can be given for evacuation of illegal foreigners. Pakistan is taking action against all foreigners including Afghan refugees living illegally in Pakistan. We are not opposed to any specific nationality.
Pakistan will continue talks with Afghan interim government in this regard. Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has not been suspended. Such reports are baseless. Pakistan-Afghanistan transit trade is continuing. Pakistan is taking steps to stop illegal use of transit trade. All the illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan will be expelled in phases, this was said by Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during weekly press briefing here Thursday.
Foreign ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan will meet on the eve of Trans Himalaya Forum in Tibet. The two will hold special talks on bilateral matters.
Successful talks have taken place between Pakistan and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on free trade agreement, she stated.
Pakistan along with OIC group held a ceremony in Geneva for elimination of hatred and discrimination.
Regarding next general election in Pakistan, she said Election Commission (EC) has written a letter for inviting international observers in connection with upcoming general election. We will facilitate the process and invite international observers in accordance with the policy and past practice, she added. .
Pakistan stance on Palestine issue is very clear and unequivocal. Pakistan wants establishment of state of Palestine with 1967 borders. Independent state of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
She said as Pakistani team is in India for ICC cricket world cup, it is responsibility of the host country to provide foolproof security and conducive environment to the team.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan has a clear stance that sports should not be mingled with politics and the Pakistani team is in India, not for a bilateral series but an international tournament.
Responding to delay in issuance of visas by India to Pakistanis for the World Cup, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan is in contact with Indian authorities and expects it to immediately grant visas to Pakistani journalists and spectators who wish to watch ICC matches in India.
She underlined India is engaged in anti Pakistan propaganda. India is involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan.
India is host country of world cricket cup. Providing full fledged protection to Pakistani cricket team during cricket world cup and creating conducive environment is prime responsibility of India.
She reiterated brutalities and atrocities of Indian occupation forces in occupied Kashmir are continuing. Indian occupation forces martyred 13 innocent Kashmiris during the month of September. Ongoing atrocities in Occupied Kashmir are blatant violations of Geneva Convention and UN human rights, she held.
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