PML-N ‘mishandled’ Jadhav case: Qureshi

By News Desk

MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Sunday blamed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) regime for what he said was the mishandling of the Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav’s case.

Speaking to reporters here, the foreign minister said the PML-N “mishandled” Jadhav’s case and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was taking measures on the recommendations of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and it had no other intentions regarding the steps.

“The opposition should act sensibly and understand the moves of India,” said Qureshi. He said New Delhi wanted that Kulbhushan Jadhav not be given consular access so they could drag Pakistan to the ICJ again.

According to a video of his talk posted on state-run Radio Pakistan’s Twitter, in response to a question regarding the CIA chief’s recent visit to Pakistan, Qureshi said the heads of intelligence agencies routinely visit with regard to the global fight against terrorism and such a visit “was not the first and will not be the last”.

With regard to the ongoing accountability drive, Qureshi stressed that the process would continue and the government would not give National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) — a euphemism for concessions — to “plunderers”.

While commenting on Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s reaction on the arrest of former National Assembly opposition leader Khurshid Shah’s son, Farrukh Shah, he remarked that everybody has the right to a fair trial. “However, nobody can obstruct the accountability process.” Qureshi categorically stated that “Prime Minister Imran Khan will not offer NRO to corrupt elements”.

About Hajj, he stated the Saudi government had decided to allow a limited number of locals and some others already present there in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. Qureshi said that there were different variants of coronavirus in the world and this step would surely help avoid the spread of coronavirus across the globe.

To a question about Ahsan Iqbal’s criticism regarding the low budget for defence, the foreign minister suggested Iqbal to study budget book to know about the fact.