Qureshi blames PML-N for 'spoiling' Kulbhushan Jadhav case

Says India wants to drag Pakistan to ICJ again; reiterates PM won't handout NROs to rivals

MULTAN:

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi blamed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for 'spoiling' the case of convicted Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav for Pakistan, on Sunday.

The minister's remarks came in response to a question about the legislation related to the plea against the spy's sentence, during a media talk in Multan this afternoon.

"We are implementing the recommendations of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and we took measures on their advice," he added.

Qureshi further stated that India didn't want consular access to Jadhav, rather wanted to drag Pakistan to the ICJ once again.

Last month, the state’s top law officer told the Islamabad High Court that India had rejected Pakistan’s proposal to appoint a counsel for the spy, taking the stance that India’s sovereignty would stand violated if an Indian citizen was put on trial in a Pakistani court.

He hoped that the, "Opposition members will not exhibit a lack of understanding [on the issue] and will be cognisant of Indian's wicked ways."

Accountability

Qureshi, who is also the senior leader of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said the government didn't believe in retaliation, but in clear and transparent accountability.

"We don't believe in subjecting someone to insult or accountability unnecessarily," he said, adding that "those going through accountability will be given the opportunity to explain."

However, the minister made it clear that, "[Prime Minister] Imran won't hand-out NROs or sign a deal [for personal gains]."

Federal budget

Responding to opposition's criticism on the budget, he said, "We are not going to bring a mini-budget" and added that, "The [Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader] Ahsan Iqbal should first review the budget book."

US airbases

Regarding the ongoing controversy about whether the government had decided to give airbases to the US in the wake of its troops' pullout from Afghanistan, Qureshi reiterated that, "Pakistan doesn't intend to give its airbases to the US."

China, G7 countries

To a question, Qureshi responded that Pakistan will be glad to witness development in underdeveloped countries. "China has no threats from the projects pertaining to investment in the countries," he added.

"China is working on CPEC [China-Pakistan Economic Corridor] project it will continue to do so. If the G7 countries want to initiate the same sort of projects, it will be a good competition," Qureshi stated.

Multan's development

According to the foreign minister, "Coordination committees have been formed in all districts of Punjab, which will monitor the development projects. A fair amount of money is being spent to build Al-badar park in Multan."