India’s cruel steps in IOK expose its real face, says Qureshi

MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Sunday that Narendra Modi government’s cruel steps in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) had exposed its real face before the world.

“The international community should come forward to save 80 lakh innocent Kashmiris from atrocities of India,” he said while addressing workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in different areas of his constituency here.

He said the human rights violations by the Indian government in the Valley must be stopped as early as possible. Qureshi vowed that Pakistan would continue to raise voice for protecting rights of innocent Kashmiris at every international forum.

The foreign minister said the world should play its role in ending curfew in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and for peaceful resolution of the issue.

"Jammu and Kashmir is no more a regional issue but it has become an international problem," said Qureshi, adding, "Pakistan successfully raised the Kashmir issue at the United Nations Security Council after 56 years." Qureshi said he visited Saudi Arabia, Iran and America, following instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said his visit to these countries remained successful. He said Pakistan played a role to reduce tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

“Pakistan wished that there should be no confrontation in the region as the region could not afford another war,” he said.

Qureshi said Saudi Arabia was one of reliable friends of Pakistan. Similarly, he said, Iran was also a friend and a neighbour, adding that Pakistan wanted that the issues should be resolved through dialogue process.

"The whole world is appreciating Pakistan’s role in promotion of peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan believes that peace in Afghanistan would lead to peace across the region. A peaceful region is our top priority," Qureshi said.

About corruption, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the PTI government would never compromise on corruption and the corrupt elements. He said the incumbent government has zero tolerance for corruption and the accountability process would continue without any discrimination. He thanked Almighty Allah as there was not a single allegation of corruption against the incumbent government.

In the past, he said, the menace of corruption damaged the country’s economy. The minister said the international institutions acknowledged improvement in Pakistan’s economy. He said the PTI government’s policies had started yielding positive results.