Responding to media queries during a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Ahmad Khan clarified that President Zardari's visit to Tehran was not cancelled and he is expected to undertake the visit on a mutually convenient date. "All I can say is that, the visit of the President is expected and we are working on that," he added. Regarding IP gas pipeline project, he said that Pakistan considers the project in its national interest and it is determined to pursue the venture.
Earlier, reports claimed that President Zardari cancelled his Tehran visit at the eleventh hour on US pressure, which was scheduled on December 7, 2012 to sign an agreement on IP gas pipeline project with his Iranian counterpart Mehmoud Ahmadinejad. However, the spokesman said that the Foreign Office did not make any announcement regarding the President's visit to Tehran. "As far as I remember, we did not make any announcement regarding the visit of the President to Iran," he added.
To another question, he said due to deteriorating situation, Pakistan has withdrawn its diplomatic staff including ambassador in Syria on a temporary basis. He clarified that the embassy was not closed down and it will resume work and the diplomatic staff will go back as soon as the security situation improves in the country.
Expressing concern on the situation in Syria‚ the spokesman said Pakistan wants that the issue should be resolved in a peaceful manner, calling upon all the parties to restrain and avoid losses of human lives. Regarding Pakistan policy on Syria, he said Pakistan is concerned about the security situation in Syria and also concerned about the killing of innocent people, hoping that the issue will be resolved through peaceful means.
Regarding release of some Afghan Taliban, the spokesman confirmed that Pakistan has released some Taliban detainees, but he declined to confirm whether the Taliban second-in-command Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar also be released or not. He said more Taliban detainees will be released. About the President Karzai's statement regarding assassination attempt on head of the Afghan National Directorate of Security, Moazzam said that Pakistan has already strongly condemned the attack in Kabul and remains committed to peace and stability in Afghanistan, adding that Pakistan will not allow anybody to use its territory against any other country. "We will continue to work closely with Afghanistan to eliminate this scourge," he said, adding that Pakistan wants to work closely with Afghan government to address the issues of extremism and terrorism as they pose common challenge to the two countries.
He said Pakistan wants friendly relations with Afghanistan and participated in the trilateral summit in Turkey with the spirit to ensure peace and security in the region. He said the main objective of the summit was to ensure peace and security in the region and the three countries are co-operating in this regard. He said a commission has been constituted in the trilateral summit to probe the attack on Afghan intelligence chief. He said Pakistan has asked the Afghan government to share any intelligence in this regard.
Responding to another question, the spokesman confirmed that the letter written to the Swiss government regarding implementation on the court's decision has been received by the Swiss authorities. To a question about Indian allegations regarding attack on Parliament‚ the spokesman said Pakistan has repeatedly said that it is willing to sit together if they have any concrete evidences.
About the alleged involvement of Hafiz Saeed in Mumbai attack, he said that the issue was sub judice and it will be better to wait for the court to decide. He also welcomed the Indian Supreme Court verdict to release Pakistani microbiologist Dr Khalil Chishti, saying "we are glad that finally justice is done." Regarding banned Taliban leader Moulvi Fazlullah, he said that Pakistan has shared dossiers both with the Afghan government and the ISAF, and hope that some action will be taken.
About Pakistan's reaction on missile test by North Korea, he said Pakistan is concerned about this development and we regret that the DPRK launched the rocket. "We strongly believe that international law and the relevant UNSC resolutions should be respected by North Korea. We also understand the concerns expressed by the neighbouring countries and hope that all issues affecting peace and stability of the region will be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means," he added. To another question about the Foreign Office statement in favour of a political party following Scotland Yard raid on a business office in London, the spokesman defended the release of a press release, saying the statement was issued because MQM is a coalition partner of the government.