Pakistan to stay alert until Indian election: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Warning of possible Indian mischief, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Saturday Pakistan will have to stay alert until general election is over in India.

“We will have to keep guard over our frontiers as everything could be expected from [Indian Prime Minister Narendra] Modi,” he said while speaking to the media here.

The foreign minister said a joint statement issued by both countries on the Kartarpur Corridor was a positive sign. Such a statement had come after a long time, he said, adding tensions with India had eased. “I am going to China for further de-escalation in tensions. I’ll meet Chinese leadership there.”

Taking about reports on the possible release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, he said a lot of things circulating about Ms Siddiqui on social media negated the truth. “I wish we succeed in getting Aafia Siddqui released from America.”

About nine Pakistani nationals who are said to have gone missing after the attacks on New Zealand mosques, he said the Foreign Office had no knowledge of them. He said he had talked to Pakistan’s high commissioner in New Zealand who visited the injured Pakistanis, adding some of them were struggling for their lives in hospitals.

The minister said the country’s diplomatic mission was in touch with New Zealand authorities and hoped that they will provide details about the Pakistanis in a while.

“We all stand by the people affected by terrorism. A report about a London incident is correct, he said. “A wave of Islamphobia has swept through entire Europe. This attitude toward refugees and expatriates is uncalled for.”

Stressing the need for protecting religious places of minorities, he said terrorism was a global issue.