Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Saturday that a separate province of Southern Punjab along with its own secretariat will be established this year, Radio Pakistan reported.
Addressing the media in Multan, he said that “a separate Public Service Commission will also be established for the proposed province.”
FM Qureshi sought the support of opposition for the creation of a province in South Punjab
The foreign minister reiterated that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government believes in rule of law, saying that all the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases were filed during the tenure of previous governments.
The federal minister said that politics of confrontation is not our policy and we are just implementing the decisions of the courts, adding that “Prime Minister Imran Khan believes in the supremacy of law and he even appeared in court in the unjustified use of helicopter case.”
To a question, he responded that Saudi Arabia, UAE and China are cooperating with Pakistan for the revival of the economy due to its sincere efforts and effective foreign policy
Qureshi maintained that Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammad and a Malaysian delegation of investors will visit Pakistan on January 23.
The foreign minister also informed that PM Imran will also be visiting Qatar on January 22 to further solidify the bilateral relations. “Qatar has announced to provide 100,000 jobs to Pakistani citizens.”
He also said that the human rights situation in occupied Kashmir is alarming and the international community has also realised its gravity.Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has again urged for intra-Afghan dialogue to resolve the Afghan issue through peaceful means.In a media talk here on friday, the Minister particularly called upon Taliban to come on the negotiating table with the Afghan government to give a chance to peace and stability in their homeland.
The Foreign Minister said outsiders can do a little to help Afghans overcome war if they do not sit together for a political settlement.
To a question about the prospects for this impasse on initiating of an intra-Afghan dialogue process being overcome, Shah Mehmood Qureshi appeared hopeful and recalled that till lately "no one could have thought of US and Taliban representatives sitting under one roof and talking to each other but that happened".It was also reported that Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah criticized Taliban’s refusal to hold talks and said that as long as the two parties don’t negotiate, the solution of the conflict would remain a “pipe dream”. Another round of talks to build on Abu Dhabi meeting is expected later this month.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in an interview to a local media outlet stated that Pakistan wants the Taliban to settle the 17-year-old conflict with the Afghan government and negotiate.
He further stated that if they do not “sit down and talk to each other, outsiders can do little to help them”.
Earlier, Pakistan facilitated a meeting between the United States and the Taliban in Abu Dhabi, where delegations from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were also present. Although the talks were said to be “productive and positive”, the Taliban did not change their position to hold talks with the Aghan government.
It was also reported that Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah criticized Taliban’s refusal to hold talks and said that as long as the two parties don’t negotiate, the solution of the conflict would remain a “pipe dream”. Another round of talks to build on Abu Dhabi meeting is expected later this month.
PakistantodayTalking about his regional contacts, the foreign minister said a regional convergence about ending the war in Afghanistan through a political settlement has already emerged.He said Pakistan, Afghanistan, the United States and Taliban are on the same page that there had to be a political solution. He said Russia, China and Iran also agree with this position.Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that cooperation of all the political parties is direly needed to create Southern Punjab province.Shah Mehmood Qureshis said that proposal to establish a separate Public Service Commission of Southern Punjab province is also under consideration.
He said that to strengthen the economy and attracting foreign investment in the country, the incumbent government is taking effective steps.
The foreign minister said promoting investment in country is vital to tackle the menace of unemployment which is a major problem of the country.
He said the trade deficit is getting improved day by day due to prudent policies of the government.Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi said the situation in Occupied Kashmir is getting worst expeditiously.
To a question, he said a negotiated political settlement is required for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
