India wants to move ICJ again on Jadhav case: Qureshi

FM point to contradictions in statements of Sindh CM over ‘Karachi incident’

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Friday that India was evading Pakistan’s offer for another consular access to convicted RAW agent Kulbhushan Jadhav as New Delhi again wanted to take the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Talking to reporters at the foreign ministry, Qureshi stressed that in view of India’s persistent mala fide intentions, Pakistan was vigilant and taking necessary counter-steps. He added that Pakistan would not let India succeed.

“Pakistan understands tricks of the enemy. India went to the ICJ but failed, [while] Pakistan complied with the ICJ decision,” he said. “India wants to drag Pakistan back to the ICJ,” he added. “Pakistan would take measures not to let India succeed in such attempt.”

Responding to a question about prospects of any dialogue with India, Qureshi said no headway was possible until India reviewed its illegal and unilateral act of August 5, 2019 about Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

“India has enforced a continuous lockdown in the occupied Valley,” he said. “We are concerned about the geographical changes in occupied Kashmir, where the majority is being turned into a minority,” he added.

He stressed that efforts were afoot for a consensus on political reforms in Gilgit-Baltistan. He warned that the enemies of Pakistan were trying to create an insurgency there. “India highlights every little thing in Pakistan.”

Responding to another question about former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is currently residing in London, Qureshi confirmed that the government had requested the British authorities for his repatriation to Pakistan.

“Nawaz Sharif must return and face the cases pending against him in the courts. He has fully recovered [from his ailment] and is taking part in the politics,” he said. “The UK has been asked to send Nawaz Sharif back home.”

The foreign minister said that there was no law to exchange accused with the UK. He also said that the PML-N supremo was allowed to leave for Britain over concerns about his health. His brother Shahbaz Sharif had given assurance to the court of his [Sharif’s] return.”

About the ‘Karachi incident’, the minister said that the issue was under investigation. He added that “many people” were giving contradictory statements. “There are contradictions in the speech of the Sindh chief minister in his news conference and his statement in the [provincial] assembly,” he said.

“We have [also] heard the speech of [PPP chairman] Bilawal [Bhutto Zardari]. He appeared to be under pressure. [So] Please wait,” said the foreign minister. “There was no instability in Pakistan,” Qureshi told the media.

 

UN anniversary

Addressing a ceremony in connection with the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, Qureshi deplored that universal ideals of the UN Charter were continuously being violated and defied with impunity “nowhere more egregiously than in the IIOJK”.

“Led by ‘Hindutva’ ideology, the BJP-RSS regime in India is incessantly resorting to aggressive posturing against Pakistan and other neighbouring countries that seriously imperils regional peace and security,” he added.

He reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to multilateralism, with the United Nations playing a central role. He urged the UN to exercise its legal and political authority to ensure full implementation of its resolutions on Kashmir.

He highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to the UN peacekeeping missions, besides hosting 3 million Afghan refugees. He added that Pakistan was one of the few countries in the world which successfully restricted the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

The ceremony, organised by the foreign ministry in collaboration with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, was also attended by the foreign secretary, heads of diplomatic missions and UN agencies based in Islamabad, as well as senior government functionaries.

The UN secretary general addressed the gathering through a video message. The UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan, Julien Harneis delivered a statement highlighting UN activities in Pakistan, while a female Pakistani peacekeeper and a youth representative also shared their views.

At the end of the ceremony, the foreign minister unveiled a special commemorative postage stamp issued by the Pakistan Post to mark the 75th anniversary of the UN. A photo exhibition was also on display, depicting Pakistan’s contributions to the UN.

UN Day – celebrated on 24 October every year – marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. Pakistan joined the organisation on 30 September 1947 and has since remained an active member state.

 

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP