Qureshi underscores plight of Kashmiris on visit to UK

The lives of people in the occupied valley were open to all to witness, says foreign minister

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, on an official visit to the United Kingdom, underscored the state-sanctioned brutality of the Indian forces and the continuous human rights violations in the Indian Occupied Kashmir, Radio Pakistan reported.

While addressing a news conference in London on Tuesday, the foreign minister said that the occupied territory was open to all to witness the lives of people there.

“Anyone can come and talk to people and inquire about their issues. But this liberty is not allowed in occupied Kashmir,” he added.

FM Qureshi, during high-level meetings, apprised British parliamentarians of Pakistan's current financial woes and the various measures being taken to steer the nation out of the crisis.

Replying to a question, he said NAB is an independent institution and government cannot influence it adding that the anti-corruption watchdog is taking actions as per law and Constitution.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said NAB cases against PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari were set up by the previous government.

Earlier in the day, addressing representatives of the Pakistani business community in London, the foreign minister invited Pakistani community to benefit from pro-investment policies of the PTI government and invest in Pakistan.

The minister said the PTI government has introduced a new visa regime for investors and is also promoting tourism sector on priority basis.

Qureshi stressed that Pakistan needs to become economically strong for having an independent foreign policy; and for the purpose, the government has been pursuing economic diplomacy.

“Welfare of Pakistani overseas community is priority of PTI government,” he added.

Representatives of the Pakistani business community congratulated the foreign minister for pursuing a dynamic and proactive foreign policy and assured their possible cooperation to make economic diplomacy a success.

On June 15, FM Qureshi arrived in the UK and was received by Pakistani High Commissioner Muhammad Nafees Zakarya at the Manchester Airport.