FM asks India not to put region’s peace at stake

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi asked New Delhi on Monday to stop putting at stake the region’s peace, saying that a section of Afghanistan was making allegations against Pakistan at the behest of India.

In a statement on the current regional scenario in Afghanistan and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Qureshi called for a political solution in Afghanistan through dialogue, reiterating that there was no military solution to the Afghan problem.

The foreign minister said a deliberate campaign of maligning Pakistan through fake news was on the rise. He pointed out that the Afghan media was spreading “a false and fabricated statement” attributed to him.

“We want India not to play the role of a spoiler by extending support to such factions,” the foreign minister said in his statement. “Pakistan desires peace in Afghanistan and is concerned about the deteriorating situation there.”

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The statement read that Pakistan was in consultation with the neighbouring countries of the region for concerted efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan. Qureshi stressed that peace in Afghanistan would benefit the whole region, including India.

The foreign minister said he had invited his Afghan counterpart to visit Islamabad for talks to sort out any misunderstandings. Earlier, he added, the visit of the Afghan delegation was postponed at the request of their own government.

On the IIOJK situation, the minister said the a recent letter of the members of European Parliament to president of European Commission exposed the fact that there wasn’t any normalcy in the Valley following India’s illegal act of August 5, 2019.

“A free parliamentary forum of the world has acknowledged Pakistan’s stance about the ongoing human rights crisis in IIOJK,” Qureshi said. He also called upon the international human rights organisation to also take notice of the human rights violations in IIOJK.

He condemned the Indian pressure and restrictions on cricket players, regarding the Kashmir Premier League, and said sports should not be politicised. “Pakistan would have no objection if India conducted any sporting events in occupied Kashmir. India must review its negative attitude.”