ISLAMABAD, Jan 29 (DNA): Pakistan on Thursday said that India did not qualify to become full member of the United Nations Security Council given its record of violation of UN resolutions particularly pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir. During weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said Pakistan has always advocated effective and feasible reforms of the UN Security Council and its working methods on the basis of consensus among the UN members.
She said the UNSC reforms should make this vital organ for peace and security more democratic, effective and responsive to the aspirations of the member states. A reformed UNSC should reflect interests of wider membership of the UN.
She, however, warned that the idea of new permanent member seats in the UNSC will create only new centers of powers and privileges, and could make the Security Council even more undemocratic.
Responding to questions about the recent US-India defense pact, the spokesperson said the pact can only add to the conventional asymmetry and undermine the regional stability.
She voiced concerns over India’s massive acquisition of conventional weapons saying this will further complicate stability in the region. She said India has increased its defense spending by 12 percent in 2014-15. Its defense budget stands at 38.3 billion dollars. India has for the last three years been top buyer of conventional weapons.
To a question, Tasnim Aslam said China is a global power and is significantly contributing to regional stability.
About the visit of Chinese president, she said it will take place. However dates have yet not been finalized.
About relations with the United States, Tasnim Aslam said Pakistan is determined to work with the US to expand bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect and interests.
She said Washington is our major trading partner and a big investor in Pakistan. A new round of strategic dialogue commenced this month. We have five working groups covering the wide spectrum of bilateral relations. A six working group is being established on Education.
About counter-terrorism operations, the spokesperson said Pakistan is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to deal with the menace. The International community should also devise such a strategy for elimination of terrorism.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit said that dialogue is the only way to resolve all outstanding issues between Islamabad and New Delhi, including Jammu and Kashmir.
In an interview, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit said Pakistan wants to have good relations with all neighbouring countries, including India. He said Kashmir is the bone of contention between the two countries.
To a question, Abdul Basit said Pakistan had condemned Mumbai attacks and wants the responsible elements to be punished. He said Pakistan also wants result-oriented investigation into Samjhota Express incident.
He hoped that India would reciprocate to the serious efforts of Pakistan to resolve the outstanding issues with India. DNA
