FM Qureshi urges indiscriminate accountability of corrupt elements

MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi urged on Sunday that corrupt elements in all political parties should face the accountability process, ARY News reported.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while addressing a press conference, rejected allegations against the government for influencing actions of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The foreign minister said that NAB is an independent institution which cannot be pressurised by the government for making specific decisions. He also asked NAB to assist the government for uprooting corruption.

Regarding Islamabad-New Delhi’s tensed ties, FM Qureshi said, “We don’t need to do the same if India is making irresponsible statements. He added that the country needs to do investigation rather than making claims.

The minister said, “Pakistan needs to be cautious till the phase of Indian elections concluding on May 19.”

While detailing Prime Minister Imran Khan’s upcoming visits, Qureshi said that the premier will pay visits to Iran and China. He reiterated that Islamabad has good ties with Tehran.

He said that PM Khan will be visiting China over the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping where he would participate in an event of Belt and Road show as a special guest. Qureshi added that he will be going to Japan.

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“The United States is holding dialogues with Afghan Taliban and next sitting between the two sides is likely on April 15 in Doha,” he said.

He clarified that Pakistan has no influences on internal matters of Afghanistan, however, Islamabad desired for a conclusive phase of US-Taliban talks. He reiterated that Pakistan also desired peace and stability of its neighbouring country.

He admitted that some elements were trying to affect the peace efforts in Afghanistan.

The foreign minister, while answering a question, said, “It is, whether a train march or Sindh march, political right of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. He cannot be stopped whether to arrive in Punjab or somewhere else.”

To another question, Qureshi said that the present government was making serious efforts for giving an identity to South Punjab region.

Criticising the opposition leaders over harsh statements, Qureshi responded that the former rulers should spot responsible for records loans taken in the last 10 years which majorly increased trade and fiscal deficit. He clarified that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) cannot be held responsible for wrongdoings of previous governments.

He said that the national economy was now improving due to positive policies of the present government and the nationals would witness a major rise in exports of the country.

He further said that toppling a government was not a solution to national issues. He said that PTI will record its performance before the nation which voted the political party for five years.

The foreign minister condemned the terror attack in Quetta, saying that innocent people were martyred and many left wounded in the Balochistan provincial capital. He added that suspicions for the involvement of ‘foreign hand’ in the recent terror incident cannot be dropped.