Islamabad deplores bid to defame China

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan considers Tibet an integral part of China, and its stance on this issue was very clear since the very beginning. The entire Pakistani nation stands by China, upholding its integrity and national sovereignty. There are no two opinions to this effect among any political party or religious group, said experts participating in a PTV’s programme telecast lastnight.
The programme specially focused on Tibet issue, in the background of the recent riots in Lhasa that were projected as a part of separatist move by the vested interest and by section of the Western media. Foreign Office Spokesman Muhammad Sadiq has already strongly condemned the riots in Tibet, held under the guise of so-called separatist movement.
Pakistan has a firm stand with its Chinese friends on the issue of Tibet, and it would not let any one question territorial integrity of China. Tibet was an integral part of China. Pakistan was also opposed to politicizing the Beijing 2008 olympics just five months from now, he added.
The programme ‘World View”, conducted by Ahmed Qureshi, and participated by the Director News Associated Press of Pakistan Javed Akhtar, who regretted that an international sports event was being politicized, involving a religious factor. These riots are also an attempt to distort China’s image among the comity of nations when its preparations for holding the Beijing Olympics are in full swing. Western media and some NGOs appeared behind negative propaganda about human rights situation in China.
While, the China believes in policies of non-interference and non-aggression, has taken firm stand that it would not allow any country to interfere in its internal affairs. China strictly adhered to policy of resolving all issues through dialogue and was committed to safeguard its sovereignty at all cost. More-over the Tibetan people are not interested to disassociate themselves from China which is a rising economic power in the world.
Moreover, the Tibetan believe that they cannot achieve development and prosperity in isolation and the so-called separatist movement being propagated by vested elements have no justification whatsoever. Recently, the Chinese government has laid special focus on the rapid development of Tibet and connected it with various parts of China through rail links by spending millions of dollars.
Besides, various projects like cottage industry have been established to open up employment opportunities for Tibet’s population. China also serves as a huge market for Tibet’s products, besides Tibet was also being developed through tourism by the Chinese government. A large number of chinese tourist travel to Tibet every year, which contributes to Tibetans’ prosperity.
The incidents of riots and demonstrations took place in second week of this month at a time when the Beijing Olympics are approaching fast, starting from August 8. As planned, the Beijing Olympics Torch will be passing through various world capitals. Also from Islamabad on April 16. It was noted that the Tibet issue originated from India when Dalai Lama shifted to its city Dharram Shala in 1958 and set up government-in-exile.
Reportedly, Indian government accepted him as a guest but it did not fulfil its responsibilities to stop the refugee guest to agitate the so-called separatist movement operating from its soil and causing harm to the integrity of the neighbouring country.—APP