Pakistan committed to implementing Indus Water Treaty: FO

Foreign Office says Pakistan is committed to the full implementation of Indus Water Treaty. Responding to the queries of media persons at her weekly news briefing regarding India's notice seeking reassessment of the treaty, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan considers the Indus Water Treaty as an important one and hopes that India will also comply with its provisions. The spokesperson pointed out that the two countries have a mechanism of Indus Water Commissioners and all issues pertaining to this treaty can be discussed in it. The spokesperson described the election exercise in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir as farcical, reminding India that given the internationally recognized disputed status of IIOJK, any so called elections conducted in pursuance of the Indian constitution carries no legal value in the eyes of international law. She said the relevant UN Security Council resolutions clearly state that final disposition of Jammu and Kashmir dispute will be made in accordance with the will of the Kashmiri people expressed through a UN supervised plebiscite. Any other process, cannot, therefore, serve as a substitute to the grant of the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. Responding to a question, the foreign office spokesperson rejected Acting Afghan Consul General's explanation for not standing during the Pakistani national anthem at an event in Peshawar, terming the action a violation of diplomatic norms. She said Pakistan considers the act of the Acting Afghan Consul General as reprehensible, saying this has hurt the sentiments of the people of Pakistan. She said Pakistan has conveyed its strong protest to the Afghan authorities on the matter. She said decisions will be taken after due internal deliberations and conclusion of talks with the Afghan government. She said Pakistan reserves the right to take action in accordance with diplomatic norms and practices. Source: Radio Pakistan