He dismissed as incorrect the remark of a newsman that Pakistan was negligent in raising the issue of the fence being built by India along the Line of Control, asserting that Islamabad had made a number of protests to Delhi and on several occasions protested to the United Nations against this fencing, which is illegal and contrary to bilateral and UN agreements.
However, Pakistan did not have to be unduly anxious, the spokesman said, as the fence could not alter the status of the LoC; it was temporary and was to be subjected to the will of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmir issue was still to be resolved. It was a dispute recognized by the world community and an item on the UN agenda. The fencing could not separate the people of Jammu and Kashmir and eventually it would be sold as scrap to scrap-dealers.
Mr Khan deplored the prevalent culture of violence and killings in occupied Kashmir and the recent arson of a madrassah there that caused deep anguish to Muslims in Pakistan, India and other countries. The arson destroyed the 100-year-old religious institution and resulted in the loss of rare manuscripts.
Replying to a question, the spokesman acknowledged the sacrifices made by Kashmiri people under the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), and said the organization recently demonstrated its maturity by uniting. The APHC's move for unification was a step in the right direction as, at some point of the dialogue between Pakistan and India on Kashmir, Kashmiri representatives would take part in it. No lasting settlement could be achieved without the APHC leaders' participation and consent.
Responding to a question, the spokesman said that foreign press reports claiming Washington had exerted pressure on Pakistan to arrest Osama bin Laden, or another important Al Qaeda figure, were unfounded. "The war against terrorism is a serious, arduous war. It should not be trivialized by such sensational and speculative stories," the spokesman added. Mr Khan said nobody knew where Osama bin Laden and his associates were.
When asked whether the purpose of the visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, to seek the assistance of Pakistani troops for peacekeeping in Iraq, the spokesman said that Islamabad had not been approached in this matter recently. Islamabad had not yet responded to a request made about a year ago to deploy Pakistani troops for the protection of UN staff in Iraq. If deemed appropriate, Pakistan would send its troops to Iraq under UN mandate.
