Ready to brief parliament on security issues: Qureshi

MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Sunday he was ready to brief the parliament on national security issues if the parliamentary parties desire so.

"I do not have an issue with briefing the entire parliament,” he told the media here on Sunday.

“If Bilawal Bhutto Zardari can send us his reservations on banned organisations and the steps needed against them, we will give importance to his recommendations. Issues cannot be resolved through just statements," the foreign minister added.

He said Pakistan had always supported peace in the region, but it reserves the right to defend itself against any foreign aggression. "Pakistan is ready to resolve all issues with India through dialogue and Islamabad will take two steps if New Delhi takes one in that direction," he said. "Situation will improve in India after elections."

The minister said India was trying to isolate Pakistan through diplomacy. "We have to be watchful of the enemy," he said.

In response to a question, he said: "China has always been an important friend of Pakistan and it has always stood by our side. It has given importance to Pakistan's needs and will continue doing so."

Responding to another question, he said that after permission from the prime minister, he had written a letter to Asif Ali Zardari and Shahbaz Sharif on the National Action Plan implementation.

About the two Hindu girls, who were allegedly abducted and forcibly converted to Islam, Qureshi said: “We will defend our minorities. If any injustice has been done, we will stand with them. We do not have double standards."

Meanwhile, in an interview with Chinese media outlet, the Global Times, Qureshi said

Afghanistan is another area where Pakistan and China hold common views and are moving ahead jointly to promote Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process. He said both Pakistan and China are committed to peace and development in Afghanistan and wish early settlement of the issue as desired by its people.

About the recent strategic dialogue, he said: “This not only reinforced our close friendly ties but also allowed both sides to evaluate the regional situation and the steps which could be taken to improve it.”

Applauding China’s support to Pakistan with regard to its sovereignty, he said: “China is a voice of reason and wisdom in our region. We value and appreciate China’s support and its call to exercise restraint and upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. We welcome Chinese efforts and its good offices to stabilize the situation in our region.”

To a question about the current regional situation, the minister said recent developments in South Asia are well known to the world. World is also aware how the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan has acted to deescalate Indo-Pak situation. Pakistan has convincingly manifested its quest for peace in the region by offering dialogue to India and investigation into the Pulwama incident if credible evidence is made available.

About the CPEC, Qureshi said: “The philosophy of PTI and our government is people-oriented. As reflected in the Pakistan-China joint statement issued in November 2018, both the countries agreed to focus on socio-economic development, job creation, improving people’s livelihood, poverty alleviation, industrialization, development of industrial parks and agriculture that is the phase-II of the CPEC with the premise to build on the achievements of Phase-I.”

He informed that at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Imran Khan will attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in April 2019. He is expected to hold meetings with the Chinese leadership on the sidelines of the forum.