ISLAMABAD – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi says Pakistan wants peacein Afghanistan and will continue playing its role to bring stability in theneighboring country.
Talking to media in Multan on Saturday, he said Pakistan is providing allout facilitation for negotiated settlement of Afghan conflict. ForeignMinister said it is a good thing that the US and Taliban have agreed to sittogether to hold talks with each other. He said progress was noted in somedialogue sessions held in Abu Dhabi recently and stakeholders haveexpressed readiness to progress ahead.
On the US decision of withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, he said thedecision will lead to peace in the neighboring country.
Replying to a question on worsening human rights situation in OccupiedKashmir, the Foreign Minister said Pakistan has consistently been raisingthe issue at all international fora. He said Prime Minister Imran Khancalled UN Secretary General and drew his attention towards the plight ofKashmiris.
In his telephonic call, the Prime Minister impressed upon the UN Chief touse his influence over India to stop the abuses of human rights in heldterritory.
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Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the use of excessive force by India is furtherdeteriorating the situation. He said UN Human Rights report and BritishHouse of Commons report both note the use of pellet guns and other brutalmethods to suppress the voice of freedom of Kashmiris, endorsing Pakistan’spoint of view. Qureshi said he himself wrote letters to OIC and the UnitedNations to highlight the barbaric treatment meted out to innocent Kashmirisby occupied forces. Consequently, OIC issued a strong statement andexpressed grave concern over the human rights violations in OccupiedKashmir.
On another question, Shah Mehmood Qureshi dispelled the impression thattalks are being held with the US to release Dr. Shakeel Afridi in exchangefor Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
He told a questioner, that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was givenfull opportunity by the courts to defend his case. He said the courts arefree to make their decisions and will serve the justice.
