Pakistan-Terrorism
Pakistan is laying more emphasis on the political component of the strategy to deal with the problem of terrorism and extremism, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

Replying to questions at the weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said both the Federal and the North West Frontier Province Governments are in a lead role in the political process.

He pointed out that two other elements of the three-pronged policy are socio-economic development in area of active militancy and military operations.

He said the Government believes that political engagement is an essential part of this policy but it is possible only with those tribal elders or chiefs who renounce militancy and violence.

"They should not allow the use of Pakistan's territory against any other country and do not help foreign terrorist element to find hideouts in our territory."
The spokesman emphatically stated that the security requirements will not be abandoned or ignored under the policy.

"Negotiations with tribal leaders and notables are aimed at supplementing military efforts with political ones," he said.

To a question he said according to the Tripartite Agreement between Pakistan, Afghanistan and UNHCR, all Afghan refugees will return to their homeland by the end of next year.

Replying to another question he said Pakistan is committed to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute peacefully as per UN resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The spokesman said Pakistan is concerned over death of another Pakistan Muhammad Akram in Indian custody. Akram, an under trial prisoner at Central Jail Amritsar and died in Guru Nanak Dev Hospital on 26th of last month.

He said Pakistan's mission in New Delhi has asked India for details of the circumstances leading to the death of Akram and has sought the early repatriation of his dead body.

Foreign Office is also in contact with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on the issue.

He told a questioner that Pakistan still has not been able to acquire any property to open its consulate in Mumbai.

A team of officials from Pakistan High Commission in Delhi will visit Mumbai shortly to look at certain properties available for rent or purchase.

He said Pakistan's request to the Indian Government to allow the opening of its Consulate in Jinnah House remains.

Asked to comment on reports about appointment of controversial American General Hudson at the US Embassy in Islamabad, the spokesman said he was not in Pakistan.

He, however, added that the Government understands the sensitivity and public interest in the appointment and hoped for a best solution in the matter.

About Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project he said "We are moving towards the next and final stage of its implementation." He said Iran Bus Service could not start last month due to administrative issues and hopefully it will begin this month.

Replying to a question about 12 arrested Pakistanis on charges of terrorism in Spain in January this year, he said apparently the detainees belonged to the 'Tableeghi Jamaat'.

Some of them had been resident in the country for many years.

Three were reported to be illegal migrants.

Nine of them were produced in Madrid Anti-terrorist Court while others were released for insufficient evidence.

The next date of hearing is yet to be fixed.

He said Pakistan mission in Madrid has pursued the matter with the host Government, which allowed consular access to the detainees by our mission.