No ‘organized presence’ of Daesh in Pakistan: FO

FO spokesperson Nafees Zakaria made these remarks when asked by a journalist during a weekly press briefing regarding statements of top police officials in Karachi and Lahore confirming presence of Daesh in the country.

Regarding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expected meeting with Indian counterpart on the sidelines of Nuclear Summit in US, the spokesperson said “such occasions afford opportunities for world leaders to meet bilaterally on the sidelines. However, until now, we don’t have any such proposal on the table. There is still time before the Summit begins – if any such proposal comes in the meantime we will inform you.”

To a question about Pakistan investigation team visiting India on March 27 in connection to probing Pathankot attack, Mr Zakaria said the announcement was made when Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz met the Indian external affairs minister in Nepal. “I don’t have details of its modalities.”

He said at the invitation of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, , President of Iran Dr. Hassan Rouhani will pay an official visit to Pakistan from 25-26 March 2016.

The visit of President Rouhani is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two friendly countries, he said.

“The visit is taking place after the lifting of sanctions on Iran. This provides an opportunity for both countries to further strengthen economic relations and cooperate in the field of energy, as well as connectivity. The leadership will exchange views on the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Regional and international issues of mutual interest and common concern would also be discussed.”