Qureshi slams ‘external interference’ in internal affairs

Former FM says Turkey, China, Russia are extending support for PTI

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday slammed foreign interference in Pakistan's internal affairs, saying that “we are a free and independent country” and such meddling should not be allowed.

Qureshi told media persons here that Pakistan’s decisions should be in accordance with the Constitution, law and public aspirations.

The former foreign minister said that one of the main reasons for the turmoil in the country today is that the Pakistani nation did not want any kind of external interference in “our internal affairs”, adding that the National Security Committee (NSC) had reported foreign interference and deemed it inappropriate.

“At the direction of the NSC, we summoned a diplomat to the Foreign Office to issue a demarche,” Qureshi stated, confirming that the government had recorded a protest through its ambassador in Washington.

Qureshi’s remarks came after the ruling party accused the opposition of conspiring with a foreign country against Prime Minister Imran Khan in order to oust him from office through a vote of no-confidence in the National Assembly.

Citing that the opposition had vested interests, the motion was dismissed by Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri on Sunday after which the National Assembly was dissolved by President Dr Arif Alvi on PM Imran’s advice.

The former FM claimed that Turkey, China and Russia had issued statements to the FO extending support for the PTI.

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“They want a better Pakistan,” Qureshi said while referring to the declaration issued by Turkey.

Qureshi alleged that the country is “suffering from hysteria” on account of the stock market crash reported a day ago.

Qureshi also accused the media of remaining silent on the matter, stating that some media channels were claiming that the communication was fake.

“India wants a soft government in Pakistan,” he said, adding that the neighbouring country was “disgusted” with a Pakistani government that defends its interests and adopts an independent foreign policy.

The former FM added that the PTI aims for good relations with India but will not tolerate the indiscretion against Kashmir.

“It is up to the people of Pakistan to decide whether they want to be governed by self-reliant, dignified leadership or whether they want to say yes with their eyes closed,” he added.

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He announced he was leaving for Lahore with the premier, accusing the opposition of “locking up” dissenting PTI MPAs in a hotel on account of a lack of trust.

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On Monday, the PTI workers besieged a hotel in Lahore where hundreds of PML-N MPAs and disgruntled PTI lawmakers were residing ahead of the election of the Punjab chief minister.

Charged workers tried to forcibly enter the hotel by removing the barriers at which point opposition lawmakers began to raise slogans against PM Imran.

MPAs Azma Bokhari, Salman Rafique and Raheela Khadim said the opposition could “teach a lesson” to the PTI over its fascist tactics, but was observing restraint.

Opposition parliamentarians claimed that their workers were “just one call away” and that the PTI should not indulge in violence.

Later in the evening, it was reported that a heavy police contingent managed to push the PTI workers away from the hotel premises and avert an imminent clash.

Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz, a nominee for the chief minister’s office, claimed that some 200 MPAs were present in the hotel when the PTI activists tried to barge in.

Qureshi condemned the opposition’s actions, claiming that the no-confidence motion was an unconstitutional step to change allegiances for money.

“A case is being heard before the Election Commission in which the son of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Yousuf Raza Gilani is buying votes for his father,” he stated, claiming there was video evidence available.