ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday said that Pakistan wants friendly relations with all countries including the neighbouring India but the environment is not conducive for fruitful talks, ARY News reported.
Addressing media at the Foreign Office, Qureshi maintained that the two countries have no other option but to resolve all outstanding issues including the core issue of Kashmir through dialogue.
“The PM in his first address had told India that if they take one step, we will take two and we have signalled positively towards India,” said Qureshi.
The foreign minister, however, added that “one can’t clap with one hand” and India too should move for fruitful dialogue.
The foreign minister thanked India’s foreign affairs minister who he revealed had sent him a congratulatory letter.
US handout on Khan-Pompeo call “contrary to facts”
Repeating the FO’s stance over a readout issued by termed the United States State Department regarding a phone conversation between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and PM Imran Khan, Qureshi said that the readout is “factually incorrect”.
He maintained that the actual conversation between Pompeo and PM Khan was a very good one as he congratulated PM Khan and expressed a wish to engage constructively with the new government.
“They want a productive bilateral relationship. Wherever our interests converge, we have to proceed accordingly,” said Qureshi.
Qureshi also informed the media that US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo is set to visit Pakistan soon.
“I look forward to Pompeo’s visit and to engage with him for peace and stability and look at areas where both countries stand to gain,” he added.
