–FM says ‘such irresponsible statements are gross interference’, Afghan leadership ‘needs to focus on long-standing serious grievances of Afghan people’
–Says Aasia Bibi is still in Pakistan, govt will provide her security if she decides to stay in country
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday rejected a tweet posted by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani earlier in the day regarding alleged violence against protesters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces, calling the “irresponsible” statement a “gross interference” [in Pakistan’s internal affairs].
Taking to Twitter, Qureshi said: “We reject the tweet by President Ashraf Ghani. Such irresponsible statements are only gross interference. Afghan leadership needs to focus on long-standing serious grievances of the Afghan people.”
Earlier in the day, Ghani said that the Afghan government had “serious concerns about the violence perpetrated against peaceful protesters and civil activists” in the two provinces.
Ghani further said: “We believe it is the moral responsibility of every government to support civil activities that take a stand against the terrorism and extremism that plagues and threatens our region and collective security. Otherwise, there could be long-standing negative consequences.”
He appeared to be referring to a Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) sit-in in Loralai on Saturday during which PTM leader Arman Loni died. Following this, a shutterdown strike was observed in Quetta on Monday.
Later on Tuesday, during a protest outside the Islamabad Press Club called over Loni’s death, rights activist Gulalai Ismail and 17 others associated with the PTM were detained by the capital police. Ismail was released late on Wednesday night.
‘AASIA BIBI IS IN PAKISTAN AND A FREE PERSON’
Meanwhile, in an interview with BBC, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Aasia Bibi, who was recently acquitted in Pakistan’s most-high profile blasphemy case, was still in the country and a free person.
“She [Aasia Bibi] is a free person. The Supreme Court has found her innocent. They have acquitted her,” Qureshi said during the interview.
He further said that Aasia was free to leave; however, the government would protect her for the rest of her life is she chooses to remain in Pakistan. “We have asked friends around the world if they want to help her.”
“Quiet diplomacy is the way forward if someone wants to help Aasia Bibi,” FM Qureshi said.
Speaking on the protests which took place after her acquittal, the foreign minister said, “Clear action has been taken against those who challenged the writ of the state.”
“People were taken into custody and put behind bars.”
The minister stressed that the government’s policy was that the blasphemy law should not be misused by anyone.
When asked about the Director of US National Intelligence telling a Senate committee that Pakistan was still providing havens to terrorists, the minister replied: “Come and see for yourself the dramatic improvement which has taken place on our side of the border. A lot needs to be done on the other side. If there are any safe havens they are on the other side. We have cleared our side.”
Qureshi also said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was ready to meet US President Donald Trump. “Imran Khan will meet anyone if it’s in Pakistan’s national interest.”
‘PAKISTAN READY FOR TALKS WITH INDIA’:
Meanwhile, FM Qureshi in an interview with Sky News said that the Pakistani government is ready for talks with India.
“The prime minister is saying ‘wake up’. The situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir is deteriorating by the day. And it isn’t just the prime minister ─ the United Nations and the All-Parties Parliamentary Group constituted by the House of Commons are all saying that; voices in India are talking about how they’re losing, how they’re alienating Kashmiris and that it’s a lost cause. So this voice is growing all over,” the foreign minister responded.
The interviewer noted that “there are many in Kashmir who don’t want freedom on Pakistani terms”, to which Qureshi said: “Fine, let’s have a plebiscite. Let the people decide. That’s a commitment, that’s a commitment by India as part of the UN agenda. Give the people the right to self-determination, and whatever they decide, Pakistan will accept.”
The interviewer further questioned why Pakistan and India will not sit down in the spirit of friendliness and talk.
“Through your programme, I’m telling the Indians ‘Let’s sit and talk’. I’m ready. Are they?” Qureshi challenged.
Further referring to the ongoing Afghan peace talks, Qureshi was questioned what he expected to happen in the current situation ─ “When the Taliban get into power, will they allow the Al Qaeda back in under their coattails?”
“It’s not in their interest to do that. They are smart people, they want to get on, they want to rebuild their country,” Qureshi explained.
“It’s been ravaged ─ for decades they’ve been in a war situation. Any nation, any people would want reconstruction, education, health, happiness, prosperity, livelihoods. They’re not any different from us,” he told Waghorn.
The foreign minister was quick to dispel the notion that whether re-integrating the Taliban back into the Afghan political system meant “women back under the burqa”.
“Not at all. Afghanistan has changed over the years … The sooner everyone realises this, the better.”
“You cannot lock women up anymore, you cannot bar them from education. Those days are gone,” he asserted.
Waghorn wondered whether it was a “naive expectation” to assume the Taliban were “new and improved”.
“I think they’re realistic, pragmatic, and that they’ll move on,” Qureshi stated.
