Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitmentto further deepen partnership with the European Union.
Addressing virtually the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee onWednesday, he said Pakistan considers the EU a highly valued partner andremains open to engagement on all issues.
He said the GSP Plus has supported Pakistan’s exports and it has introducedreforms to attract foreign direct investment to maximally utilize thisfacility.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan offers an open and deregulated marketwith 100 percent equity ownership and repatriation of capital anddividends. Our IT sector is brimming with talent. Over the last five years,IT exports have increased by 151 percent. The EU can benefit fromPakistan’s human resource in the IT sector to realize its goals ofDigitization.
He said investments from the EU member states in Pakistan’s exportpromotion zones could create a win-win proposition.
The Foreign Minister expressed his disappointment over the adoption of aresolution by the European Parliament on blasphemy laws in Pakistan. Hesaid this discourse in the European Parliament reflected a lack ofunderstanding of blasphemy laws and associated religious sensitivities. Hesaid we need to appreciate the religious sentiments attached to thepersonality of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and other religious symbols.
He said like every other democratic and free society, we value freedom ofexpression. However, it should not be abused to hurt religious feelings ofothers. Willful provocations and incitement to hate and violence must notbe allowed and be universally outlawed.
In the regional context, the Foreign Minister said Pakistan believes in thepolicy of restraint and peaceful coexistence.
He said Pakistan remains firmly committed to improving relations with allits neighbours, including India. Unfortunately, our overtures for peacewere not reciprocated by India. The Jammu and Kashmir dispute is indeed thesingle biggest obstacle in the way of building a durable and lasting peacein South Asia. He said a solution in accordance with the relevant UNSCresolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people is indispensible.
He said EU Disinfo lab unearthed India’s nefarious activities and wecontinue to urge EU authorities to take notice of this massivemisinformation campaign against Pakistan and not let third countries misusethe name of EU institutions.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan wishes to see an end to the Afghanconflict through a negotiated political settlement. He said Pakistan willcontinue to play a role in facilitating the Afghan peace process.
He however said there are elements, both inside and outside Afghanistan,which do not want peace and security. We should remain vigilant ofmachinations of such spoilers. He said Pakistan-EU cooperation would beimportant in preserving the political, economic and social gains of pasttwo decades, as well as rehabilitation of the Afghan refugees.