Responsible, confidential progress on Masood

Ag Agencies

RAWALPINDI/MULTAN: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that development on Masood Azhar would be confidential and responsible.

He said this while addressing a ceremony held under the auspices of All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA) at Multan Arts Council.

Earlier, Pakistan Army troops shot down an Indian spy quadcopter in Rakhchikri sector along the Line of Control (LoC), Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor said on Saturday.

“The spy quadcopter had come 150 meters inside Pakistan,” Major General Asif in tweet message said.

At a time when the international community is making efforts to ease tension between the two countries, India committed yet another violation of Pakistan’s air space. This is for the third time in less than three months that the Pakistani troops shot down third Indian quadcopter for violation of LoC. In first week of January, Pakistani troops hit two Indian drones in Satwal sector and Bagh sector on two consecutive days.

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with its JF-17 Thunders shot down India’s Su-30 and MIG 21 aircraft on February 27 after just they crossed the LoC. The Indian pilot of MIG 21 which fell inside Azad Kashmir was arrested and later handed over to India as a gesture of peace.

Earlier, Indian aircraft committed violation on February 26 and claimed to target a training camp in Balakot. The Indian authorities are yet to give evidence in support of their claims.

On the other hand, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Pakistan would respond in a befitting manner if the enemy cast an evil eye on Pakistan. He categorically told Prime Minister Narendra Modi to think twice before any aggression, as it was the Naya (New) Pakistan and the enthusiasm of people is very high and the country is more safe and secure than in the past,” Qureshi said at a ceremony held under the auspices of All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA) at Multan Arts Council.

The minister said: “It is my responsibility to sensitise people that conspiracies are being hatched against the homeland. The whole world acknowledges that there is brave leadership in Pakistan now. Qureshi said, “Nations have to pay the price when they move forward with dignity and courage. Conspiracies are being hatched to put Pakistan in the grey list. The enemies would try to weaken our economy.” However, he added that Pak forces are alert to foil aggressive moves of the enemy.

He said that he, along with Prime Minister Imran Khan, visited Chachro in Sindh, located near Indian border, to give a clear message to the enemy that Pakistan is ready for both options, whether it’s peace or war but Pakistan wants to move towards peace not war to save regional peace and stability.

On this occasion, APCA President Banaras Khan Jadoon, General Secretary Khalid Javed and hundreds of clerks from different departments were also present.

Warning of possible Indian mischief Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Saturday Pakistan will have to stay alert until general election is over in India. “We will have to keep guard over our frontiers as everything could be expected from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said while talking to the media here.

The foreign minister reiterated that Pakistan wants peace not war and wants resolve the issues through dialogue with India. He said there is election environment in India, and Modi regime could have committed any misadventure for which we are fully alert. Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that United Nations, Russia, United States, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and other friendly countries helped in de-escalating the tension with India and we are thankful to them.

To a question, he said that OIC adopted a resolution on Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and declared the Indian acts as terrorism. He said that Kashmiri people sacrificed with their blood and raised the issue at international level.

The foreign minister said he is leaving for China on Monday where he will exchange views with the Chinese leadership on latest prevailing situation especially the current situation with India.

The foreign minister said a joint statement issued by both countries on the Kartarpur Corridor was a positive sign. Such a statement had come after a long time, he said, adding tensions with India had eased.

Taking about reports on the possible release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, he said a lot of things circulating about Ms Siddiqui on social media negated the truth. “I wish we succeed in getting Aafia Siddqui released from America.”

About nine Pakistani nationals who are said to have gone missing after the attacks on New Zealand mosques, he said the Foreign Office had no knowledge of them. He said he had talked to Pakistan’s high commissioner in New Zealand who visited the injured Pakistanis, adding some of them were struggling for their lives in hospitals.

The minister said the country’s diplomatic mission was in touch with New Zealand authorities and hoped that they will provide details about the Pakistanis in a while. “We all stand by the people affected by terrorism. A report about a London incident is correct, he said. A wave of Islamphobia has swept through entire Europe sand gaining ground there. This attitude toward refugees and expatriates is uncalled for.”

Qureshi hoped that mosques in European and other world countries will be protected and remain opened for prayer in a safe environment. He told that at least 300 Pakistani resides in Christchurch. Stressing the need for protecting religious places of minorities, he said terrorism was a global issue.