Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Sunday said the accountability institutions are not being dictated by the government.
“We want the process of accountability to continue. But, accountability institutions are not being dictated by the government … Pakistan People’s Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari knows very well that we are not pressuring anyone,” he said while talking to reporters in Multan.
Regarding the opposition’s upcoming all parties conference (APC), Qureshi said, “I have failed to understand the agenda of the APC … it appears to be an attempt by the opposition parties to save themselves from accountability.” “Pakistan’s problems were not created in the last 60 days … even the nation knows what the country’s issues are,” he said, to another question.
To a question about new province, he said, “A new province in southern Punjab is need of the hour and no one can deny it. However, to carve out a new province, we need opposition’s support to bring a constitutional amendment in this regard.” He said a committee has been already set up to develop political consensus for the creation of the new province. He said the establishment of a separate province in southern Punjab was part of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s manifesto. He said the committee will deliberate on the matter and come up with the recommendations, which would then be put before the opposition parties. On behalf of the PTI government, he requested the opposition parties to rise above politics and take a decision based on objective realities and considering the needs of the people.
To another question, Qureshi said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a symbol of cordial ties between the two countries. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan will be holding talks with the Chinese leadership during his upcoming visit. To a question, the foreign minister reiterated that Islamabad has always wanted good relations with all its neighbours, including Afghanistan. Underscoring security lapse on the Afghan government’s part, he urged the war-torn country to avoid blame game over October 18 attack in Kandahar.
Published in Daily Times, October 29th 2018.