India's stance on Kashmir 'no longer accepted' internationally: FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: The world has acknowledged Pakistan's narrative on Kashmir and it no longer accepts India's stance on the issue, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Monday.

Addressing a ceremony, he said India, through its conspiracies, portrayed the people's struggle for freedom in Indian occupied Kashmir as terrorism.

"India cunningly trampled on Kashmir's right to self-determination," FM Qureshi said, adding that Pakistan needed to counter India's "negative propaganda".

The foreign minister — talking about the Afghan peace — said that the world was accepting Pakistan's role in in the process. "America has also acknowledged Pakistan's narrative when it comes to the Afghan peace process."

He stressed that the foreign policy was the country's "first line of defence", adding that Pakistan needs to develop its foreign relations wing to promote its narrative effectively.

Talking about digital diplomacy, the foreign minister said that it was the need of the hour. "Nowadays, breaking news trend is everywhere. Not even a second passes and a news gets aired, and we get a call asking for our response."

The foreign minister said that a strategic division had been established in the Foreign Office which will focus on how Pakistan's narrative can be promoted across the globe.

The foreign minister, talking about the country's financial problems, said: "If we remain weak, economically, then we will always have to rely on the International Monetary Fund and other institutions."

Touching upon the important role of media in Pakistan, the foreign minister said: "Indeed, the media is the fourth pillar of the state."