Military

Pakistan Foreign Ministry concedes differences with US

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, April 10, IRNA – Pakistan Foreign Ministry Thursday pointed out that the country has differences with the United States on certain issues including on the issue of drone attacks.

“Holistic approach is needed to resolve the problems being faced by the region,” the Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told his weekly press briefing.

To a question about drone attacks, Basit said, “These attacks are violation of our sovereignty and they strongly believe that these attacks are counter-productive”.

He said this issue was raised during recent visit to Islamabad by US special envoy on Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke.

“The issue will be raised against at next trilateral meeting to be held next month in Washington”.

“Our position on the issue obviously reflects concerns of the people of Pakistan,” the spokesman said.

Replying to a question, he said Pakistan’s engagements with US is an on-going process.

Answering a question about Richard Holbrooke's statement on India's role in the region, the foreign office spokesman said Pakistan believes that all countries big or small are important and they do have a role to play.

To a question about launch of rocket by North Korea, the spokesman said Pakistan will continue to support all efforts that would help contribute promoting peace and stability in the Korean peninsula.

To yet another question about possible presence of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan, he said there is no authentic intelligence available in this regard.

To a question about the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in Tribal Areas by the US, he said draft legislation has already been moved and hoped that both Kerry Logar bill and ROZs legislation will be carried out sometime before June this year.