Friday, April 11, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 4,1429    

Pak takes another turn on Kashmir
South Africa like Truth and Reconciliation Commission proposed
Expresses concern on discovery of 1,000 nameless graves in IHK

Staff Reporter

Islamabad—Pakistan has emphasized the need to focus on the resolution of Kashmir dispute to bring to end sufferings of the Kashmiri people.

Replying to questions at the weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said Pakistan is deeply concerned on the reports of discovery of one thousand nameless graves in Occupied Kashmir.

He demanded that India should allow international human rights organizations to conduct an independent investigation into the issues of disappeared persons and discovery of nameless graves.

To a question he said Pakistan has proposed that a Truth and Reconciliation Commission could be established for resolution of the dispute.

The spokesman said within the framework of Composite Dialogue, Pakistan also emphasized the need for resolving all other outstanding issues.

Asked to comment on a letter written by US Democratic Party legislators to President Bush asking him to refocus on Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the spokesman said a comprehensive strategy encompasses political, socio-economic development and security is essential to eliminate the threat. He said Pakistan is fighting terrorism in its own national interest.

He told a questioner that no country has reacted to the statement of the Foreign Minister that there is no harm if Dr. A.Q. Khan being an old and sick man is allowed to meet friends and dine out.

He said the issue of Dr. Khan is a close one and no country has approached Pakistan with any new question.

To another question he said disposal of nuclear waste in Pakistan is strictly regulated in accordance with the international standards. Our nuclear power stations are under IAEA safeguards which not only keep an oversight on their operations but also on storage of nuclear waste that has to be fully accounted for.

He said Pakistan took up the matter with the Afghan Foreign Office which neither confirmed nor commented upon the statement of their Parliamentary Affairs Minister alleging dumping of nuclear waste in Afghanistan.

He said the allegations are baseless but if Afghan Government has any doubts, Pakistan would suggest that it should invite experts from IAEA to inspect the site where nuclear waste is allegedly dumped.

The international experts could easily verify if the waste is there. They can also verify its origin.