Pakistan exposes Indian propaganda to sideline Muslims at SCO moot: Bilawal
Pakistan
He says Indian govt's hatred of Muslims is hurdle behind lack of dialogue
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reached Karachi after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s meeting in India.
He addressed a press conference and said Pakistan put forward its stance regarding the Kashmir issue before the SCO’s members besides saying there was no change in the country’s position in terms of the Kashmir dispute.
He said various meaningful points was raised in the SCO’s moot and also revealed the propaganda of India to sideline Muslims.
Responding to the question regarding the criticism of the Indian external minister, he said the Indian minister was representing the sentiment of the BJP which promote policies against Muslims and added the Indian ruling party even wanted to declare me ‘terrorist’.
The FM stressed that the SCO’s member nations have accepted the sacrifices of Pakistan due to terrorism while adding the BJP was trying to label every Muslim as terrorist.
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) May 5, 2023
Talking about the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said all member nations, except India, acknowledged the potential of the CPEC adding the central Asian states wanted to become part of CPEC.
Mentioning the need to improve bilateral relations, he said unless India changed its position regarding Kashmir (adopting article 370-A), no meaningful discussion could be held.
Mr Bhutto-Zardari, after concluding his two-day trip to India, wrote "Tomorrow the FMs of China and Afghanistan will be visiting Pakistan where we will engage in bilateral meetings, followed by a trilateral meeting between our three countries."
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) May 5, 2023
After a busy schedule in India, Mr Bhutto-Zardari is set to hold meetings with his Chinese and Afghan counterparts on matters of mutual interest.
Bilawal in India
Earlier, in India, Mr Bhutto-Zardari had said the onus to build a “conducive environment for talks” was on India and underscored the need to give peace a chance.
The dialogue between the two countries was hurt by New Delhi’s decision to end occupied Kashmir’s special status, he said categorically.
"There couldn’t be a more powerful indication of the importance that Pakistan attaches to the SCO than my presence here in Goa for this CFM," he said.
The foreign minister underscored importance of Pakistan accords to principles of mutual trust and shared development as enshrined in 'Shanghai Spirit.' “Pakistan strongly believes in and fully adheres to principles of mutual trust, shared development enshrined in original ‘Shanghai Spirit’.”
FM Bilawal also called for collective efforts to fight climate crisis, saying: “The climate crisis poses an existential threat to humanity."
Speaking about poverty in the region, he said there was a very strong and compelling case for closer cooperation for poverty alleviation under the SCO. “The establishment of the Special Working Group on Poverty Alleviation proposed by Pakistan will be a step in that direction,” he said.
The Pakistani minister urged to collectively eradicate the menace of terrorism, adding: “Let’s not get caught up in weaponising terrorism for diplomatic point scoring. The collective security of our peoples is our joint responsibility".
Earlier, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed the Pakistani counterpart for the meeting in Goa.
Bilawal on Kashmir
Mr Bhutto-Zardari stated that Pakistan's policy on Kashmir remained unchanged despite the unilateral decision taken by India with regards to the valley, and that it has caused damage to the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Mr Bhutto-Zardari said that Pakistan's stance on Kashmir has always been clear and concrete. Pakistan seeks better relations with its neighboring country, and the people of Pakistan and India want peace.
Chinese, Afghan FMs in Pakistan for trilateral dialogue
Earlier, newly sworn Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Acting Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi on Friday arrived in Pakistan to hold a trilateral dialogue.
Mr Gang, who is paying his maiden visit to Pakistan, would attend the fourth round of the Sino-Pak Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired by the Chinese FM and his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto. The strategic dialogue is a structured mechanism that reviews bilateral cooperation in key areas.
Moreover, he would also participate in a trilateral dialogue comprising Mr Muttaqi and Mr Bhutto.
On the other hand, Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi also landed in Islamabad.
Earlier, taking to Twitter, Afghan MoFA spokesperson Hafiz Zia Ahmad wrote, "Today, a comprehensive political and commercial delegation led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi, arrived in the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad".
— Hafiz Zia Ahmad (@HafizZiaAhmad1) May 5, 2023
