Daily Times

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday termed the Afghanistan peace deal a golden opportunity to move towards peace.

Talking to reporters after inauguration of the newly constructed road at Timber Market, Qureshi said a few elements were trying to spoil peace agreement, adding that they should not be allowed to succeed so that this golden opportunity is availed for sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

He said there was some information about development on the issue of release of prisoners. He said that after successful resolution of the issue, the intra-Afghan dialogues would be the next session of the peace deal.

He said everyone had condemned the Kabul attack which was a good sign, adding that the same spirit was needed in the future to bring ease in lives of the people of Afghanistan.

To a question about former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Qureshi said the court allowed him (Nawaz Sharif) to go abroad for medical treatment.

He said Nawaz Sharif was asked to keep informing the government’s medical board about his treatment, but he had not followed the instructions of the court.

He said the government had informed the court and was waiting for the court’s decision.

He appreciated the people of Bangladesh for registering their protest against torture, killing and losses of the Indian Muslims during the recent brutal spell in which Muslims were being killed and tortured in presence of the Indian police.

He said the supreme leader of Iran had also expressed concern on the ongoing situation in India, while people of Afghanistan had also expressed solidarity with the Muslims of India by staging protests.

Qureshi maintained that not only Muslims but Christians were also being tortured in Bangalore (India). He urged the international community to play role for controlling violence against Muslims, fearing that it could be expanded all over the India.