Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has invited the opposition to sit together with the government on foreign policy issues.
Responding to the speech made by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in the National Assembly this evening, he said government would welcome any suggestion from the opposition parties to cope with the challenges Pakistan is confronting with on foreign affairs’ front.
The Foreign Minister invited Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Opposition Leader Shahbaz Sharif, and other parliamentary leaders to come to the Foreign Office and the government would seek their inputs on foreign relations.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the government is also committed to implement National Action Plan in letter and spirit.
He said the government is carrying out crackdown against proscribed organizations to defeat terrorism.
Regarding economic situation in the country, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said structural flaws in the economy are a major stumbling block we inherited from the previous government.
He urged the opposition to come forward with valid suggestions to improve economy of the country.
The Foreign Minister said boycotting of OIC meeting in Abu Dhabi was done in light of the unanimous resolution passed by the joint sitting of the parliament.
Regarding release of Indian pilot, he said Prime Minister Imran Khan took that decision in best interest of Pakistan and to deescalate the situation. He said Pakistan’s gesture of peace was widely acknowledged by the international community.
Earlier, speaking on floor of the House, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said people of Kashmir should be given a chance to decide their destiny through a promised plebiscite to avoid Pulwama like incidents.
He said India is committing atrocities against innocent Kashmiris by using pellet guns and rape as tool for oppression.
He said Pulwama attack was not carried out by any non-state actor from another country, but it was done by a Kashmiri youth, which showed their annoyance.
He said the international community should take notice of the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also paid rich tribute to the valiant armed forces of Pakistan in defending the motherland and foiling Indian aggression against the country.
He also called for implementation of National Action Plan to curb the scourge of terrorism in the country.
Taking the floor, PML-N Leader Ahsan Iqbal said the PTI government has badly failed in fulfilling tall claims it had made before coming to power.
He said PML-N government completed a number of projects in various sectors including infrastructure, agriculture and energy but the PTI government has not yet completed any project.
Meeting of National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee held in Islamabad
The meeting of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee was held in Islamabad today for a comprehensive briefing of the prevailing situation in the country.
Briefing the Committee, the Foreign Minister highlighted Pakistan's desire for a peaceful neighborhood.
He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has emphasized that Pakistan will take two steps if India takes one to normalize relations.
The Foreign Minister said he wrote letters to the UN Secretary General and the President of the UN Security to apprise them of the threats to regional peace posed by Indian aggression.
He said, in line with Pakistan's consistent desire for regional peace and de-escalation, Pakistan has conveyed to India that Pakistan's High Commissioner to India will be returning to New Delhi after completion of consultations in Islamabad.