No curbs on politicians to meet diplomats: FO
By Asghar Ali Mubarak

ISLAMABAD—There is no restriction on politicians to meet any diplomat but the foreign diplomats should not interfere in internal affairs of Pakistan, said the Foreign Office Spokesman Muhammad Sadiq in his weekly briefing. The Spokesman said Pakistan is a free country and there are no laws to prohibit meetings of the politicians with diplomats. He said there is bar on the politicians to meet diplomats adding that the diplomats should stick to ‘diplomatic norms’ and should not interfere in internal affairs of Pakistan.
He said if there are such statements tantamount to interference in internal affairs of Pakistan, such statements are agaisnt diplomatic norms. Replying to a question regarding declaration of independence of Kosovo, the spokesman said, “Pakistan has always supported Kosovo’s cause in the United Nations.” “We had also supported the recommendations of Marti Ahtisaari initiative and we remain committed to this policy direction,” said the spokesman.
He said, “We have noted the recognition extended by a number of important countries to the declaration of independence by the Kosovo Parliament and the statement made by the OIC Secretary General expressing happiness over this development.” The spokesman said, “Our policy regarding Kosovo will be guided by these developments, consideration of the aspirations of the people of Kosovo and our desire for the peace and stability in Kosovo and the region.” He said the recognition of a state is a legal matter. He said on the question of recognition of Kosovo as independent state, “We are coordinating our decision with other countries, particularly major OIC member states.” Replying to a question about status of Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, the spokesman said Pakistan is not aware of the formal approach by China to join this project adding that possibility of China has been discussed with Pakistan at various levels.
Answering to another question, the spokesman said still India is part of this IPI project as technically India is partner to the project. The spokesman also confirmed that Pakistan has some outstanding amount to U.S. government. On the question of republication of the blasphemous cartoons published in Danish media, the spokesman said no civilized society should allow disrespect of the believe system of other communities.
He said the re-publication of the cartoons had deeply offended Muslim feeling and sentiment all over the world. He said, “Pakistan condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the highly provocative act of the re-publication of cartoons in the Danish media”. The spokesman said, “Pakistan has already lodged a strong protest over this issue with Danish government.” “Such acts incite the already growing Islamophobia in Europe and undermine the efforts being carried out by the groups that are trying to bridge the gap between civilizations,” said the spokesman.
He said to invoke freedom of expression to justify the publication of reprehensible caricature is perversion of the principles of freedom of expression and licence to malign other religions. The re-publication of the cartoons was counter to the efforts of countries and people who wished to build bridges amongst civilizations, he added. He said since hurting sentiments of other religious was not responsible behaviour, the Danish government is under obligation as a responsible government to stop the publication of cartoons.
The spokesman said the goals of protecting ‘Danish values’ and the ‘freedom of press’ should not be achieved at the cost of hurting the sentiments of Muslim all over the world. He said there are laws in Western countries which prohibit media from publishing contents that hurt the sentiments of certain communities. “We expect that the Western countries should equally be sensitive to respecting the feelings of Muslims and should not allow insult under the guise of freedom of expression,” he added.