Trump’s statement based on myopic view: Iqbal

Interior minister meets Japan, Turkey envoys

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that President Donald Trump’s statement on Pakistan is based on a myopic view of the region and is a disappointment for many.

The minister said this on Thursday while discussing matters of mutual interests with Ambassador of Japan Takashi Kurai who called on him in Islamabad.

Talking to the envoy, Iqbal said the relations between the two countries are multifaceted, and based on mutual trust. The economic ties between the two, he added, are spread over decades.

He assured Kurai that the interior ministry will facilitate the visa process for Japanese businessmen.



Iqbal said peace and development “go hand in hand” and no nation could progress in the absence of strong and stable institutions. “The government is strengthening security-related institutions for ensuring peace in the country,” he informed the envoy.

Discussing regional issues, the interior minister said no nation has a bigger stake in peace in Afghanistan than Pakistan. He added Pakistan has been collaborating with the international community for peace in the region and will continue to play its positive role in the context.

“The recent statement given by President Donald Trump is based on myopic view of the region and a disappointment for many,” he said, and made it clear that Pakistan will strictly guard its security interest and oppose imposition of hegemony in the region.

The minister also said that adoption of modern technology has become instrumental in capacity-building and improving performance of law-enforcement agencies. “Japan’s cooperation will be welcomed in this area,” he added.



“Pakistan has rendered great sacrifices in the war against terror and for the stability of peace in the region, and we are committed to developing better relations with all our neighbors in the spirit of bilateralism,” he said.

The Japanese ambassador lauded the successes, sacrifices and efforts of Pakistan’s law-enforcement agencies to improve security situation in Pakistan.

Later, Turkish Ambassador Babur Girgin also called on the interior minister. In the meeting, the interior minister said, “Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with Turkey in its war against terror and extremism.”

The relation between Pakistan and Turkey span over centuries with cultural and religious underpinnings, he told the ambassador.

He also asserted that “enemies of Turkey are the enemies of Pakistan” and “in cooperation with Turkey, we will make stride in the economic field to ensure prosperity of our people.”

The interior minister also invited his Turkish counterpart to visit Pakistan.