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ISLAMABAD: While it welcomed foreign governments\u2019 statements in support of free and fair elections, Pakistan on Thursday advised diplomats based in Islamabad to ponder how their activities were seen by the public at large.<\/p>\n The remarks by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mum\u00adtaz Zahra Baloch came in reply to a question about British High Com\u00admissioner Jane Marriott\u2019s meeting<\/a> with the chief election commissioner.<\/p>\n Before the UK high com\u00ad\u00admissioner, the US am\u00ad\u00adbassador to Pakistan also held a meeting<\/a> with the CEC.<\/p>\n \u201c[W]e expect relevant embassies to reflect on how their activities in Pakistan are being perceived by the Pakistani public and whether such activities can actually contribute to promotion of democracy and the cause of free and fair elections in Pakistan,\u201d Ms Baloch said during the weekly press briefing.<\/p>\n Spokesperson welcomes statements in support of polls; says Afghan transit trade deal \u2018being misused\u2019<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n She stressed people of Pakistan were fully capable of overcoming the challenges faced by the country.<\/p>\n While replying to a que\u00adstion about foreign gover\u00adn\u00ad\u00adments\u2019 observations about the forthcoming elections, the spokesperson said statements by some governments to \u201csupport free and fair elections\u201d and not \u201cintervene in Pakistani politics\u201d were welcoming.<\/p>\n Misuse of transit trade<\/strong><\/p>\n On a question about bilateral trade with Afg\u00adh\u00adanistan, Ms Baloch said the transit trade agreem\u00adent between the two countries \u201cwas being misused\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is important for our customs authorities to ensure that any border trade that takes place complies with the understandings and agreements that exist between Pakis\u00adtan and Afghanistan and that such commercial acti\u00advities do not contravene Pakistani laws,\u201d she remarked.<\/p>\n \u201cOur major concern is that sometimes the exp\u00ado\u00adr\u00ad\u00adts that are meant for Afg\u00adh\u00adanistan are diverted back to Pakistan and the custo\u00ad\u00adms duties and taxes are not paid as they should be,\u201d she said, adding the cust\u00adoms authorities were concerned that people were \u201cmisusing the bilateral provisions that allow for trade with Afghanistan\u201d.<\/p>\n She said these concerns will be taken up with the Afghan authorities.<\/p>\n She said the trade between the two nations was on the rise and this was due to the fact that \u201cPakistan has facilitated trade with Afghanistan\u201d.<\/p>\n On the Afghan Foreign Ministry\u2019s statement about transit trade with India, she clarified the agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan did not include overland trade with India through the Wagah border.<\/p>\n On a question about US Ambassador Donald Blome\u2019s visit to Gwadar<\/a>, she said the port was an important project under CPEC.<\/p>\n\n