5 July 2014

Pakistani Government Tells U.S. to Stop NSA Spying on Its Communications

July 4, 2014

Pakistan tells US envoy to stop secret surveillance

Mariana Baabar

The News International [Karachi]

ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador Richard Olson was summoned on Thursday to the Foreign Office and clearly told by Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry to impress upon his government to immediately stop subjecting Pakistan to secret intelligence surveillance as this breached the international lawand recognised diplomatic conduct, Western diplomatic sources confided to The News. The government made it clear that this matter would be taken up again in the future after Washington explained its position.

The issue was also raised during the weekly media briefing at the Foreign Office.The spokesperson, despite several queries, did not reveal the fact that Olson had been summoned but instead responded, “Pakistan has noted with concern the recent media reports indicating that it is among the countries subject to surveillance by US government departments. The US Embassy in Islamabad was conveyed today that such an action against Pakistani government departments or other organisations, entities and individuals is not in accord with international law and recognised diplomatic conduct.”

When asked about the PPP being a target during the surveillance, the spokesperson without naming the party said she found this “surprising”.“The US side was further conveyed that surveillance was contrary to the spirit of friendly relations between our two countries and in the interest of friendly and cooperative ties, we have urged the US to stop such activities,” added the spokesperson.

She said it was a violation of international law and the matter was also raised with the US in the past and Islamabad would continue to discuss this issue.“I can confirm to you that this issue is being raised with the US and I have already said that we are working on it,” added the spokesperson without giving further details.

As reports spoke about steps being taken in India to strengthen its cyber security, the spokesperson said that it was not her ministry which would take steps to further secure cyber security.

On Iraq, the spokesperson said so far all Pakistanis inside Iraq were safe, including those who were working with a Turkish company in Tikrit who were evacuated before the deterioration of the situation.

“Similarly, in other places also, our nationals have moved to safer locations. Our embassy is in touch with them. They have been cautioned that if they feel the situation is getting worse, they should immediately leave. Our embassy would provide whatever assistance they need. Sometimes, the companies for which they worked, they also make arrangements,” revealed the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Embassy in Baghdad despite this very difficult situation is still functional and the ambassador is regularly assessing the situation.“If at any stage he feels that the Embassy personnel are not safe or need to be moved, that would be done,” pointed out the spokesperson.

On Afghanistan, the spokesperson was quick to take exception to a reporter’s remarks about the Durand Line and efforts to stop the militants crossing over.“I’m not aware of any agreement on a line that does not exist,” she said, “There is an international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan which needs better management. Pakistan has taken strong measures and has been calling upon Afghanistan to take appropriate steps on its side of the border. Our armed forces are conducting operations, it needs to be ensured terrorists do not escape and also that the Afghan territory is not used against Pakistan for terrorist attacks.

“Our missions would require specific instructions (if a decision is made to seek international help for displaced people). If a decision is taken, I suppose the Ministry of Finance would authorise our missions to open accounts to collect contribution by overseas Pakistanis. But so far we have not sought help for displaced people. They are our nationals and we are looking after them,” she added.

The spokesperson also cautioned the media to be more responsible and not be part of the smear campaign which spoke about the cases of harassment and abuse.“This is a very peculiar situation. An operation has been launched to root out terrorism. People who have been dislocated temporarily from their homes, they are undergoing this discomfort for all of us. At this time, we need a positive message and strong support. I only see positive stories, how these people are being helped, being offered water and juices at entry points for registration; children being given candies,” she said.

On reports about the US and other Western capitals coming out in support of India to include it into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the spokesperson said that any such steps that create exceptions or which are based on double standards undermines the credibility of international nuclear regime.

“Pakistan itself is not a signatory to the NPT. Pakistan and India are nuclear weapon states and that’s a reality whether the NPT accepts it or not. We have consistently called for non discriminatory access to nuclear technology to Pakistan as well,” commented the spokesperson.

Pakistan’s High Commission compiles a list of Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails which is based on reports of cases registered or families reporting about missing family members while on visit to India.

“The number according to our calculations is close to 500,” said the spokesperson. However, according to the list provided by India, the number of Pakistani civil prisoners in Indian jails is 264 and fishermen 116. Recently, the Indian authorities intimated that they are releasing nine Pakistani prisoners. But Pakistan has taken a strong exception to the fact that legally no one can be punished twice for the same crime.

“Unfortunately, some of our nationals who have completed their primary sentence in India still remain in jails. Sometimes because the processes are not completed by the Indian authorities or subsequently new charges are brought against them and the jail sentence starts anew,” said the spokesperson.

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