FM Bilawal defends former PM Imran Khan's visit to Russia

FM Bilawal defends former PM Imran Khan's visit to Russia

NEW YORK (Dunya News) – The Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari defending the former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Russia at a press brifing in US stated that the visit was in accordace with the foreign policy. 

During a press briefing, the Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan has always played a proactive role to ensure peace and stability in the region as peaceful coexistence is one of main objectives of our foreign policy.

Talking to media in New York on Friday, he said that Islamabad adopted an integrated strategy to counter terrorism and formulated an effective National Action Plan to tackle extremism and terrorism in country.

He said that India has openly violated the international laws and resolutions passed by the United Nations regarding Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir by taking illegal and aggressive measures in occupied territory. He said the solution to the Kashmir issue is essential for peace and stability in the South Asian region.

Talking about Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, the Foreign Minister called for joint and collective efforts to address Afghan crisis. He said that international community must play its role in resolving the issue.

He said Pakistan has always helped Afghan people in every difficult time and hosted millions of refugees. He warned the world that escalation of the Afghan crisis will affect the entire region.

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) May 19, 2022

Will not be pressurized by anti-Americans attempting to spread hatred inside Pakistan: Bilawal

Earlier, the Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that they believe in trade instead of aid. We will not be pressurized by the anti-Americans attempting to spread hatred inside Pakistan.

In an exclusive interview with US media, the Foreign Minister said that he wants to expand bilateral trade relations with the United States. We want the world to recognize Pakistan’s achievements against terrorism and also the manner in which the country has met the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), he said.

In response to a question about the U.S. providing a bailout package to Pakistan in difficult circumstances, he said our view is that trade with the United States should take precedence over aid.

Regarding the 45-minute meeting with Antony Blinken, Bilawal said that the meeting was very good along with mentioning that bilateral trade was discussed during the productive meet-up.

The Foreign Minister further stated that before coming to the United States, he made it clear that giving priority to trade over aid is the strategy. Now whether it is agriculture or energy. We hope to improve terms in every field, he said.

Carrying on with it he added that relations with the United States did not grow as much as they should have, this is because of the limited contact that revolves around events.

Bilawal Bhutto emphasized that healthy relations between the U.S. and Pakistan are in the interest of both.