ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Friday said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal’s two-day visit to Islamabad starting Monday was part of a routine interaction between the two countries. The statement came as speculations were rife that the Saudi foreign minister was coming to Pakistan in relation to the treason trial of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam in her weekly briefing said the Saudi foreign minister’s visit was scheduled during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's meeting with him in New York when the latter was visiting New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly session.
The spokeswoman said the Saudi foreign minister will hold important talks with the Pakistani leadership on various bilateral, regional and international issues during his two-day stay.
Similarly, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is also in Pakistan on a private visit, Aslam said.
The spokeswoman said the treason case against Musharraf was Pakistan's internal matter and other countries should have no concerns over it.
Responding to another question, she said Pakistan wanted early resumption of the dialogue process with India in order to resolve all issues, including Kashmir. She said a mechanism was already in place for the India-Pakistan dialogue.
Aslam said Pakistan would continue to contribute positively to the Afghan peace process.
She expressed the hope that 2014 would prove to be the year of peace and stability in Afghanistan, adding that Pakistan would continue its sincere efforts for the success of the Afghan reconciliation process and to establish peace in the region.
The spokeswoman said Pakistan would not change its policy on drone attacks. She said drones were unacceptable and violated Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Replying to another question, she said Pakistani missions in Chile and Ireland had been closed down under the policy of the government to curtail expenditures.