PM Shehbaz condemns PTI criticism of FM Bilawal's India visit

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday condemned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) remarks against Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto’s visit to India for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, calling it ‘deeply troubling’.

The premier’s statement comes after the former ruling camp lambasted FM Bilawal for his visit to Goa for the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the SCO conference.

“It is deeply troubling how the PTI tried to generate a controversy around Pakistan's participation in the SCO's meeting in India,” PM Shehbaz wrote on his official Twitter handle.

It is deeply troubling how the PTI tried to generate a controversy around Pakistan's participation in the SCO's meeting in India. It shouldn't be surprising though as Imran Niazi has had no qualms about imperiling the country's vital foreign policy interests in the past too. This…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 6, 2023

He maintained that the PTI’s stance was not “surprising” as Imran had “no qualms about imperiling the country's vital foreign policy interests in the past too”. He furthered that the PTI did the same when “they were in power”.

“For the PTI, everything including the conduct of interstate relations is a plaything”.

PTI chief Imran Khan, during an earlier court appearance, told media personnel that the foreign minister’s trip suggested that the incumbent government recognised the events of August 5, 2019, wherein India revoked Kashmir’s special status. He maintained that August 5 was the reason his government broke ties with India.

Former human rights minister and PTI leader Shireen Mazari tweeted a picture of FM Bilawal greeting his Indian counterpart and said, “The real story is in this picture where Indian counterpart and host doesn't put his hand out to shake Bilawal's hand but does namaste as does Bilawal”.

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She claimed that “signaling is important in diplomacy especially when both are hostile states” and that the picture suggested that Bilawal was “signaling appeasement”.

The real story is in this picture where Indian counterpart & host doesn't put his hand out to shake Bilawal's hand but does Namaste as does Bilawal. Signalling is important in diplomacy esp when both are hostile States & this was Bilawal signalling appeasement! Shameful! https://t.co/jtH8ZEXC6z pic.twitter.com/e3qDvslDGN

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) May 5, 2023

FM Bilawal went to the Indian coastal city last week to attend the SCO-CFM. He addressed the gathering of the top diplomats from the eight-nation bloc.

Despite the restriction on discussing disputed issues between India and Pakistan, Bilawal said, he succeeded in presenting the Pakistani narrative at the CFM and negated propaganda against Pakistan in his interactions with the Indian media.

A Pakistani official present at the dinner confirmed to The Express Tribune that there was a handshake between the two foreign ministers. Bilawal was the last minister to enter the venue. On his arrival, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishnakar stood up and shook his hands.

The official, however, downplayed it as a routine courtesy. Another official part of the Pakistani delegation said that they were treated well so far. “They treated us the same way as other delegates. The environment was cordial and positive,” the second official said.