Modi-Biden declaration a failure of Pakistan's foreign policy: Sheikh Rashid

Says 13 dead parties has turned country to a graveyard for the poor

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) - Awami Muslim League chief and former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Sunday that declaration issued after meeting between India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden was a failure of Pakistan's foreign policy.

In a series of tweets on social media platform Twitter, Rashid said two Pakistani civilians were martyred by Indian forces on the border (Line of Control) on the very next day after Modi-Joe Biden meeting, adding Pakistan should respond to Indian aggression in a befitting manner.

“Our soldiers are embracing martyrdom on daily basis while combating terrorism, but the US-India declaration has held Pakistan responsible for terrorism,” he said. The former federal minister said that trespassing the residential properties of PTI leaders and workers and handcuffing females indicated that Sharifs were making a mockery of democratic norms.

He said on the one hand the rulers were leading a luxurious life and enjoying foreign tours, but on the other the poor were being burdened with more taxes worth Rs215 billion. Tax levy on petrol was being enhanced by Rs10, Mr Rashid said, adding inflation, unemployment, loadshedding, and shortage of commodities were the poor's destiny.

“The entire world knows that ruling alliance is a corrupt and unpopular "qabza group" (power grabbers) imposed on people through backdoor. These unpopular rulers are brought only for delivering speeches and making photo sessions and they play havoc with the economic, internal and foreign policies."

The AML chief said the rulers were not in a position to go for elections as neither people nor the world had faith in them. He said they were walking with the help of crutches, not with the support of the people. The assets of the rulers, their wealth and their children were out of the country.

He said half of the country’s problems will be solved if they [the rulers] bring their assets back to the country. Rashid said an alliance of 13 "dead" parties had turned the country to a graveyard for the poor people of the country.

He said Asif Ali Zardari would have to be answerable for his corruption before evolving any charter of economy, adding Nawaz Sharif’s return won't make any difference in politics.