Pakistan will fence Afghan border if allegations continue: spokesperson
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, March 6, IRNA
Pakistan-Afghan Allegation
Pakistan said on Monday that it would fence its border with Afghanistan if Afghanistan continued allegations of infiltration.
The allegations from Afghan side have rightfully upset President Musharraf as these are aimed at maligning Pakistan and not for information sharing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said.
We have a regular mechanism for information sharing that could have been used.
Afghanistan side needs to be serious on this issue, Tasneem Aslam told the weekly press briefing.
The spokesperson said Pakistan has deployed over eighty thousand troops on Afghan border to stop cross border movement and it also helped for smooth elections in that country.
There is no lack of efforts on our side and we expect same level of effort from the Afghan side.
She said that Pakistan is also working on the proposal for fencing the border.
She said safe return of Afghan refugees will also help decrease in infiltration.
To a question regarding war on terrorism, the spokesperson said whatever Pakistan is doing is in its national interest and international leaders including President Bush have appreciated Pakistan's role in this regard.
In fact she said Pakistan has done more than any other country in this war.
To a question regarding Afghanistan, Ms. Tasneem Aslam said, President Musharraf has discussed the issue with President Bush during his meeting and it will also be discussed in the tripartite meeting for that General Abizaid will be coming to Pakistan shortly.
To a question regarding civilian nuclear cooperation with the United States, she said we are interested in this cooperation and it has been discussed during the US President visit.
However, she said that Pakistan has several options and we are exploring various opportunities to meet our energy requirements as Pakistan intends to generate 8,800 mw electricity during the next twenty years.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan and the United States have agreed to launch strategic dialogue and Foreign Secretary and his US counterpart would be discussing all aspects of this dialogue shortly which include peace and security in South Asia and beyond, cooperation in war on terror and ways and means for further enhancing trade and commerce.
We have good relations with US and recent visit of President Bush has helped made them robust.
She said that U.S has agreed for setting up of reconstruction opportunity zones in all remote and underdeveloped areas including tribal areas.
Whatever would be produced there will have free access to the US market which will help generate more jobs in underdeveloped areas.
To another question the spokesperson said our nuclear deterrence is in place and is working very well.
To a question on reference to non-proliferation by President Bush, she said every country which has nuclear know-how have leakage and IAEA record proves it.
She said at least we were not first in nuclear proliferation in the region.
On Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, she said it is very much intact and Pakistan is are fully committed to it and will remain committed to it.
She said Pakistan has not changed its stance over the Kashmir issue and stands for its amicable solution acceptable to both Pakistan and India and above all the Kashmiris.
She said that the United States is engaged actively to facilitate and encourage both the countries to reach on an acceptable conclusion and it was reiterated by President Bush himself during his recent visit.
She said Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute and we want to resolve it bilaterally with India but its solution must be acceptable to the Kashmiris.
To another question, the spokesperson hoped that Pakistan and India would be able to move forward towards resolving various issues particularly Siachin
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