OIC is our home, will attend session: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday said that Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is our home, he will go there but will not hold talks with Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj. He said that Pakistan has conveyed reservations about Sushma Swaraj's presence at the OIC meeting scheduled next month.

In a brief talk with journalists here on Thursday, Qureshi said, "India is neither a member of OIC nor an observer."

"The host country had invited the Indian foreign minister as a guest speaker for one inaugural session. I have spoken to the UAE minister and apprised him of Pakistan's reservations and told him that he should have spoken to us before inviting Swaraj," he said. The foreign minister said that he is not hesitant to meet the Indian counterpart but OIC is not the forum for talks with Swaraj.

In response to a question regarding closure of Pakistan's airspace, the foreign minister said, "The airspace has been closed for the passengers’ security. “It is an SOP. We want the airspace to open at the earliest."

Earlier, while speaking to Geo News, the foreign minister said, "I have just received the [Indian] dossier and have not got the chance to examine it. We briefed parliamentary leaders last night and there is a meeting of the cabinet today. There is the joint session. I will still say that we will see and examine the dossier with an open heart. I wish they [India] would have sent this dossier earlier. They attacked first and then sent the dossier. If they had sent the dossier first and sought Pakistan’s answer, there would have been no need for an attack.”

“If there is de-escalation with the return of this [Indian] pilot, Pakistan is willing to consider this. We are ready for all positive engagement," he added.

The foreign minister further said, "Prime Minister Imran Khan is ready to talk to Narendra Modi on the telephone and ready to extend an invitation of peace. Is Modi ready?”

Asserting that Pakistan has been calling for peace since day one, Qureshi said, "If India wants to talk about terrorism, we are ready."

"You [India] want to risk regional stability for politics," he said and added that "it could be the need of politics but history will not forgive you".

"Our wish is peace and stability is our top priority," he maintained.

Qureshi questioned, "God forbid if there is a war, Pakistan will be affected but if India's economy will not suffer."

The foreign minister further stated, "I have received a message that the Saudi foreign minister is departing for Pakistan."

Lamenting that India rejected talks with Pakistan earlier, Qureshi said, "Had Indian foreign minister held talks with me in New York, I would have told her this is a Naya Pakistan."

The foreign minister said, “India cannot solve the Kashmir issue through force. We are ready to talk on the issues of Kashmir and terrorism with India. They can come and sit down and we will have a dialogue."

Upholding that war is not a solution, FM Qureshi added, “After destruction, you also have to sit down for talks. Civilised dialogue is the only way forward.” “India’s policy is not beneficial anymore. We are losing Kahsmiris,” he stressed.