Foreign incursions unacceptable: FO
By Asghar Ali Mubarak

ISLAMABAD—Reiterating its commitment to fighting terrorism in an effective manner, Pakistan said Wednesday it would not allow any country to launch attack on terrorists inside its territory. “We are part of international efforts in the war against terrorism and committed to this struggle against terrorism, but we will not allow any other country or power to take action inside Pakistan’s territory,” said Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq at a weekly media briefing.
The spokesman said Pakistan had time and again made it clear that any attack inside Pakistan territory “will be unacceptable.” He said Pakistan is a victim of the extremist ideologies. The spokesman said, “All counter-terrorism measures within Pakistan will be taken by Pakistan and by its own armed forces.” This official position of Pakistan had been articulated again and again and there was no secret deal with any country on the issue, he said.
The spokesman also said that as a responsible nuclear power Pakistan has always attached great significance to the security of its strategic assets. He said these assets are completely safe and secure under multi-layered security and Command and Control structures and there is no threat that these assets could go in “wrong hands”. The spokesman said Foreign Minister Inam ul Haq will be visiting India to participate in the 29th session of the SAARC Council of Ministers being held in New Delhi from December 7-8.
He said the Council is the second highest decision-making forum of SAARC after the grouping’s Summit. The Council is composed of the Foreign Ministers of the SAARC member states and meets twice a year. India currently holds the chairmanship of the Council. He said during his two-day stay in New Delhi, the Foreign Minister will represent Pakistan at the meeting. He said the meeting will review the progress on the implementation of the decisions taken by the 14th SAARC Summit held in New Delhi in April 2007 and give further direction to SAARC on various issues of common interest.
The spokesman said Pakistan attaches great importance to SAARC and has been playing a proactive role to make the forum a model for regional cooperation. “Our cooperation and partnership within the SAARC framework is based on sound foundations of shared values and common aspirations for economic growth and social development with the aim of improving the welfare and quality of life of the people of South Asia,” said the spokesman.
He said, “We have made substantial contribution towards all SAARC processes and taken a number of initiatives for the realization of its objectives.” The spokesman said besides attending the SAARC Council of Ministers meeting, the Foreign Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with his Indian counterpart, Parnab Mukherjee as well as other participating SAARC Foreign Ministers.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will also receive the SAARC foreign ministers, he added. Replying to a question about meeting of Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India, the spokesman said it will be held early next year. The spokesman said under an existing bilateral agreement India did inform Pakistan about its tests of blastic missiles conducted two days ago.