Responding to media queries during his weekly briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal neither confirmed nor denied happening of the meeting of the intelligence chiefs of all the four countries on Wednesday, saying, "I have no information about the meeting."
The chiefs of intelligence agencies of Pakistan, Russia, China and Iran have reportedly met to discuss counterterrorism cooperation, with particular focus on the rise of Daesh in Afghanistan, besides discussing joint measures and cooperation to the global terror network from threatening the territorial boundaries of the four nations.
To a question, the spokesperson renewed Pakistan's appeal to all warring groups in Afghanistan including Taliban to renounce kinetic options and join the peace and reconciliation process to end the conflict.
"We believe that only through continuous and sustainable dialogue can the problem of Afghan conflict be resolved. Any initiative on Afghanistan must be Afghan-owned and Afghan-led," he said, adding that all stakeholders must play their part in bringing the Taliban to negotiating table.
He said that Pakistan is directly engaging with the Afghan government under APAPPS [Action Plan for Peace and Stability] mechanism. "We urge all sides including Taliban to renounce kinetic options and join the peace and reconciliation process to end this brutal conflict in Afghanistan," he said, adding that Pakistan has been saying since long that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.
Responding to another question, he declined to comment on the recent statement by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, while in Afghanistan, in which he hinted about the US' willingness to be part of dialogue process with the Taliban.
"Others, who were insistent to resolve the issue through military means, are also arriving at the same conclusion, which is a good omen for people of Afghanistan who have suffered immensely from merciless conflict," he added.
He also declined to comment on the reported Saudi government's advice to Taliban to stop fighting and recognise the Afghan government, saying "I won't comment on the reported advice of the Saudi government to Taliban and will also avoid speculating on the level of influence the Saudi government enjoys over Taliban."
Commenting on the White House decision to elevate US Ambassador in Pakistan, David Hale as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Dr Faisal said that Pakistan and the US are engaged in continuous dialogue. "This continuation is reflective of the political will on both sides to move forward in the relationship," he said and also wished him well.
On the arrest of five Indian nationals carrying and selling uranium, he said that Pakistan is deeply concerned about the reported incident involving the attempted sale of uranium on the black market. "We are looking forward to the results of further investigations. The report raises several questions about nuclear security and or/interest of criminal groups and individuals in uranium and their motivations," he added.
About the reported problems for Pakistani traders in getting Afghan visa, he said that the Foreign Office has not received any complaint from the traders and business people regarding visa denials by Afghan embassy and consulates in Pakistan. However, he added that Afghan government has recently changed its visa regulations and liberalised the visa regime for traders and business people.
To another query about alleged failure of Pakistan's permanent mission in New York to sensitise the international community on Indian atrocities on the occasion of second anniversary of the Kashmir leader Burhan Wani, instead it organised a film festival, he said that one of the fundamental responsibilities of Pakistan's mission at the UN is to effectively highlight the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
"Our Mission in New York is regularly doing that at all UN forums and I will check about the film festival," he added. He insisted that Kashmir is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy, adding that it has remained so for the past seven decades and Pakistan position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is consistent and in accordance with UNSC resolutions that call for the UN mandated plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, so that Kashmiris may be given the just right to self-determination. "There shall not be any iota of doubt in this," he asserted.
He also stated that Pakistan is investigating the alleged use of chemical materials in pellet guns by Indian forces in Kashmir. "We will raise it at the highest level once facts are established," he added.
Responding to Indian media claims that Zafar Bangash, a Canadian Pakistani, has played role in the recent report of Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Kashmir, he said that India has unfortunately become desperate, and now in its exasperation, will say anything to take the focus off the report.
"Assertions such as these are as preposterous as they are laughable. Next question please...We completely reject the false and baseless accusations being made by the Indian media outlets," he said, adding that it is a part of India's malicious campaign against the credibility of the report by distorting facts and figures. To another query, he said that Pakistan will submit its reply in ICJ in Kulbushan Jadhav case on July 17, 2018.