RAWALPINDI/MULTAN: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi said development on Masood Azhar would be confidential and responsible. He said this while addressing a ceremony held under the auspices of All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA) at the Multan Arts Council.
Earlier, Pakistan Army troops shot down an Indian spy quadcopter in Rakhchikri sector along the Line of Control (LoC), The Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor said on Saturday. “The spy quadcopter had come 150 meters inside Pakistan,” Major General Asif in tweet message said.
At a time when the international community is making efforts to ease tension between the two countries, India committed yet another violation of Pakistan’s air space. This is for the third time in less than three months that the Pakistani troops shot down third Indian quadcopter for violation of LoC. In the first week of January, Pakistani troops hit two Indian drones in Satwal sector and Bagh sector on two consecutive days.
On the other hand, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan would respond in a befitting manner if the enemy cast an evil eye on Pakistan. He categorically told Prime Minister Narendra Modi to think twice before any aggression, as it is the Naya (New) Pakistan and the enthusiasm of people is very high and the country is more safe and secure than in the past," Qureshi said. The minister said: "It is my responsibility to sensitise people that conspiracies are being hatched against the homeland. The whole world acknowledges that there is brave leadership in Pakistan now.
Qureshi said, "Nations have to pay the price when they move forward with dignity and courage. Conspiracies are being hatched to put Pakistan in the grey list. The enemies would try to weaken our economy." However, he added that Pakistan's armed forces are alert to foil aggressive moves of the enemy.
He said he, along with Prime Minister Imran Khan, visited Chachro in Sindh, located near the Indian border, to give a clear message to the enemy that Pakistan is ready for both options, whether it's peace or war but Pakistan wants to move towards peace not war to save regional peace and stability. On this occasion, APCA President Banaras Khan Jadoon, General Secretary Khalid Javed and hundreds of clerks from different departments were also present.
Warning of possible Indian mischief Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan will have to stay alert until general election is over in India. “We will have to keep guard over our frontiers as everything could be expected from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said while talking to the media here.
The foreign minister reiterated that Pakistan wants peace not war and wants to resolve the issues through dialogue with India. He said there is an election environment in India, and Modi regime could commit any misadventure for which we are fully alert. Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the United Nations, Russia, United States, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and other friendly countries helped in de-escalating the tension with India and we are thankful to them. To a question, he said that OIC adopted a resolution on the Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and declared the Indian acts as terrorism. He said the Kashmiri people sacrificed with their blood and raised the issue at the international level. The foreign minister said he is leaving for China on Monday where he will exchange views with the Chinese leadership on the latest prevailing situation especially the current situation with India.
The foreign minister said a joint statement issued by both countries on the Kartarpur Corridor was a positive sign. Such a statement had come after a long time, he said, adding tensions with India has eased.
Taking about reports on the possible release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, he said a lot of things circulating about Ms Siddiqui on social media negated the truth. “I wish we succeed in getting Aafia Siddqui released from America.”
About nine Pakistani nationals injured in the New Zealand mosques, he said he had talked to Pakistan’s high commissioner in New Zealand who visited the injured Pakistanis, adding some of them are struggling for their lives in hospitals. The minister said their diplomatic mission is in touch with New Zealand authorities and hoped they will provide details about the Pakistanis. “We all stand by the people affected by terrorism. A report about a London incident is correct, he said. A wave of Islamphobia has swept through entire Europe is and gaining ground there. This attitude toward refugees and expatriates is uncalled for.”Stressing the need for protecting religious places of minorities, he said terrorism is a global issue.
Qureshi hoped that mosques in European and other world countries will be protected and remain open for prayers in a safe environment. He told that least 300 Pakistanis reside in Christchurch.
