Qureshi sees headway on Afghan prisoners issue

FM says Nawaz violated court order by not keeping govt informed about his health

MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday termed the Afghan peace deal a golden opportunity to move towards peace.

Talking to the media after the inauguration of the newly-constructed road at Timber Market, Qureshi said some elements were trying to spoil the peace agreement, adding, they should not be allowed to succeed so that the golden opportunity “is availed for sustainable peace in Afghanistan”.

He said there was some development on the issue of release of prisoners.

Qureshi said after successful resolution of the issue, the intra-Afghan dialogue would be the next step of the peace deal.



He said everyone has condemned the Kabul attack which is a good sign, adding the same spirit was needed in the future to bring ease in the lives of the people of Afghanistan.

To a question about former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Qureshi said court had allowed him (Nawaz Sharif) to go abroad for medical treatment.

The foreign minister said Sharif was asked to keep informing the government's medical board about his treatment but he had violated the court instructions.

He said the government has informed the court and awaiting its decision.

He appreciated the people of Bangladesh for registering their protest against the killing of the Indian Muslims and the torture and losses inflicted on them during the recent brutal spell in which Indian police stood as silent spectators.

He said the supreme leader of Iran has also expressed concern on the ongoing situation in India while the people of Afghanistan have also expressed solidarity with their brothers in faith.



Qureshi maintained that not only Muslims but Christians were also being tortured in Bangalore (India).

He urged the international community to play its role in controlling violence against Muslims fearing that it could be expanded all over India.

He said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was going to pay a visit to Europe on March 13 but members of the European Union have cancelled the trip keeping in view the public protest against him.

He said the government was committed to establishing southern Punjab as a separate province but did not have a clear majority to pass the resolution.

He said it has been decided in a meeting to seek the support of other parties for the purpose. He said the government has decided to establish a sub-secretariat in southern Punjab to facilitate the people of the area. However, a few parliamentarians wanted the setting up of the secretariat in Bahawalpur while others sought to have it in Multan.

The minister added that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) general secretary sent a special envoy to Pakistan which met with all leaders.



He said the envoy visited different areas of the country and also Azad Kashmir and met with the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir.

The envoy would submit a detailed report to the OIC general secretary about the facts. He asked the OIC to take notice of the ongoing curfew in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) and play a vital role in ending the curfew and communication blackout in IOJ&K.

He said American President Donald Trump has appreciated Pakistan for fighting against terrorism and the sacrifices of Pakistani people in the war against terrorism during his recent visit to India.

Qureshi stated that the European Union has extended Pakistan's GSP-Plus status for another two years which is a victory of the government’s foreign policy.

He said extension of the GSP-Plus status would increase the country's export. He said inflation has been decreased to 11.4 per cent from 14.6 per cent, adding efforts were being made to drag it down further.

He said there would be labour council and village council in the new local body law.

Responding to yet another query, Qureshi said there was some development on the release of Dr Afia Siddique and assured that efforts would continue for the purpose.

To another question, the foreign minister said Islam had given rights to women and protection of their rights must be the top priority of everyone.

He said women were part of every department – including army, police, education and even politics.

Answering a question on the coronavirus, he said Pakistani students in China were safe and were being offered different facilities by the government of China.

He said the government has taken measures to prevent coronavirus attack in the country, including closure of the border with Afghanistan and Iran.