MULTAN, Mar 16 (APP)::Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi strongly condemned terrorism incident in New Zealand and termed it a global phenomenon.
Talking to media here Saturday the minister said that security should be provided to Mosques as it was provided to churches, temples and other worship places. Unfortunate, there is Islamophobia in Europe and some malicious elements are entertaining their intentions and they are also influencing internal politics. Migration and Immigration is a considered as big issue in Europe, he said. The tragic incident of New Zealand was murder of humanity, he said adding that New Zealand had always been a peaceful country.
The minister said that four terrorists, including a woman, had been arrested in the heinous incident of terrorism in New Zealand. To a question about Pakistani victims, he said that nine Pakistanis were missing following the incident as their mobile phones were not responding. However, one citizen, hailing from Hafizabad, is injured and under treatment in Christ Church.
The minister said that he was in contact with Pakistani High Commissioner and Foreign Ministry of New Zealand. He however assured to complete cooperation towards the families, whose members are missing. He furtehr said about 300 Pakistani families were living in Christ Church.
The New Zealand government will share details of the victims soon. He, however, added that Pakistan government would extend allout support and cooperation towards the Pakistani families.
Qureshi added “we could feel the pains of people and we are
standing with them”. In case of any mishap, the bodies of
Pakistanis victims would be shifted to country with the consultation of their families, he added.About Kartarpur Corridor project, the minister said that a Pakistani delegation visited Attari border recently to finalise terms and conditions for opening of boder at Kartarpur. It was for the first time after suspension of dialogue process between Pakistan and India that the two countries issued a joint statement.
Qureshi termed it a good development leading towards improvement in relations between both countries. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s good gesture of release of Indian pilot was appreciated by the people with mature thinking even in India, he added.
He also lauded the role of different countries for de-escalation between Pakistan and India.
The minister said that elections process in India would complete by May 19 and we would have to remain highly alert till completion of the election process there. Recently, the enemy tried to penetrate Pakistan borders at three points including Okara-Sahiwal, Sialkot-Lahore and Muzaffarabad.
To a question about China, Qureshi said that China was a great friend of Pakistan. It had always supported Pakistan at different international forums. He said that he was touring China from Sunday for some important engagements.
Replying a question, the foreign minister said that it was a sensitive issue and should not
be discussed at social media. “It is my wish that we succeed in bringing Dr Aafia back,” he added.
To another question about security of mosques in different countries, Qureshi said that it was basic responsibilities of all countries to provide security to mosques and the people. He hoped that mosques would remain opened and people would continue to worship there.
About the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Qureshi said that the forum passed a very comprehensive resolution and termed atrocities in held Kashmir state, terrorism by India.
The minister said that Pakistan was raising voice for the right to self-determination of the people of held Kashmir. India was trying to crush the peaceful struggle of Kashmiris through the use of excessive force.
He said that India was using pellet guns and rendering people blind. The attacker of Pulwama incident was a local youngster, who was brutalised by the Indian forces.
He said Indian forces were targeting self-esteem of the youth in the held valley and added that peaceful struggle of Kashmiri people had become an international issue.
Qureshi said that he recently invited leadership of all political parties of Azad Kashmir and sought their feedback to raise voice for the people of occupied Kashmir.
Responding to another question about China’s use of veto power in the United Nations Security Council, he said the developments in P-5 (Permanent members of Security Council) countries are always kept confidential.
Pakistan is a responsible country, however India demonstrated irresponsibly and leaked the recent development at the Security Council.
Qureshi said Pakistan would raise the recent Indian aggression at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) session, as both Pakistan and India are member of the forum.
Pakistan had welcomed the Russian offer of help to settle issues between Pakistan and India, he added.
