Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday rejected Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s statement regarding alleged violence against protesters in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces.
In a scathing reply to Ghani’s tweet, Qureshi termed the “irresponsible statements” a “gross interference” on the Afghan president’s part.
The foreign minister reminded the Afghan leadership “to focus on long-standing serious grievances of the Afghan people.”
Earlier in the day, Ghani tweeted against “violence” against “peaceful protestors”. The Afghan president’s tweet also drew a strong reaction from former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar. “[It] [is] Sad [that] Ashraf Ghani would think it appropriate to comment on what is clearly an internal matter for Pakistan,” she said in a tweet.
“Baloch, Pashtun, Saraiki, Punjabi & Sindhi are Pakistanis and we certainly need to fix many things but am sure you know that your comments can only worsen situation not help it. [I] am quite sure as President of Afghanistan it must never be your intention to worsen a situation in Pakistan. We will all be well served to ‘concern’ ourselves with matters within our own borders. Our people will also be better served if we concentrate on fixing wrongs within our borders.”
Separately, Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday said Pakistan’s ties with India were linked to the resolution of the Kashmir issue and if New Delhi takes one step then Islamabad will take two steps.
Addressing a gathering of overseas Pakistanis in Birmingham, Qureshi said, “Pakistan will continue its efforts to bring peace and stability in the region.”
He added, “The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan has effectively highlighted the Kashmir issue at international forums.” The foreign minister continued, “Due to prudent economic policies, international companies are now coming to Pakistan for investment in diverse sectors. New agreements for trade and investment will soon be signed with the European Union and the United Kingdom.”
The minister added the government is also committed to completing all projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Meanwhile, Qureshi in an interview to BBC said Asia Bibi was in Pakistan and a free person. Last month, the Supreme Court rejected a review petition challenging the top court’s decision to acquit Asia Bibi.
“She [Asia Bibi] is a free person. The Supreme Court has found her innocent. They have acquitted her,” Qureshi said during the interview.
The foreign minister said Asia Bibi was free to leave, however, the government would protect her for the rest of her life is she choose to remain in Pakistan. “We have asked friends around the world if they want to help her.”
He added that quiet diplomacy was the way forward if someone wanted to help Asia Bibi. Speaking on the protests which took place after her acquittal, the Foreign Minister said clear action had been taken against those who challenged the writ of the state. “People were taken into custody and put behind bars.” The minister stressed that the government’s policy was that the blasphemy law should not be misused by anyone.
On Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process, Qureshi said Prime Minister Imran Khan from the beginning had stated that there was no military solution to the conflict. “What is required is a negotiated political settlement.”
Published in Daily Times, February 8th 2019.
