Qureshi, Atmar exchange views on Palestine, Al-Aqsa
Pakistan, Afghan FMs agreed to remain high-level bilateral exchanges
ISLAMABAD – Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday received a telephone call from Afghan counterpart Hanif Atmar.
The two ministers exchanged greetings on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. According to the Foreign Office statement, Qureshi conveyed wishes for a happy and joyous Eid for the ‘brotherly people’ of Afghanistan.
The foreign minister underlined that Pakistan welcomed the announcement of the Eid ceasefire by the Afghan government and Taliban and emphasized that efforts should continue for a permanent ceasefire.
It said that the foreign minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s support to the Afghan peace process and underscored that the intra-Afghan negotiations provide a historic opportunity to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan for ending the 40-years long conflict.
Daily Times
‘KSA allocates special manpower quota for Pakistani workers’
FM Qureshi says visa issues with Kuwait resolved; Saudi crown prince to pay his second visit to Pakistan soon
MULTAN – Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman would pay his second visit to Pakistan soon.
Speaking with journalists, he said that a delegation of Saudi officials would visit Pakistan after Eid-ul-Fitr and this visit will be followed by a two-day visit by Saudi foreign minister to finalize arrangements for crown prince’s visit to Islamabad.
SAUDI INVESTMENT
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided to invest $500 million more to strengthen energy sector in Pakistan. The Saudi Arabian assistance would help overcome the imbalance in energy mix, he said, adding that it was meant for alternate and renewable energy including solar, wind and hydel power.
Daily Times
Pakistan asks India to take ‘first step’ for bilateral talk
FM Qureshi says no formal talks at the moment with India; says Islamabad to welcome third-party facilitation by KSA, others on talks with New Delhi
May 11, 2021
Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday said that Pakistan would welcome the third-party facilitation by Saudi Arabia or any other country for resumption of talks with India.
“Pakistan is ready for third-party facilitation. It is India that has always shied away from it,” he said in a press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. The minister said that Saudi Arabia was the friend of Pakistan and also had business ties with India, which was a big importer of Saudi oil.
Daily Times
FM says Pakistan will not allow boots on ground, or US bases on its soil
Shah Mahmood Qureshi says Pakistan will not interfere in Afghanistan’s internal matters; will continue to play role as a facilitator
May 11, 2021
Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday dismissed that Pakistan would allow any military bases on its soil in the wake of withdrawal of the American troops from Afghanistan.
“We will not allow boots on ground or allow military bases,” he said while addressing a press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. He said that Pakistan stands with Afghanistan in its efforts for peace, prosperity, reconciliation and categorically stated that it did not side with any particular stakeholder.
Qureshi says Pak-India talks at intelligence level have always existed
Pakistan
Sun, Apr 25, 2021
Amid media reports of secret back-door talks with India and Pakistan s continued denial of such talks, Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday said that he admits there are intelligence level talks between the countries and that they have always existed .
Speaking to
Geo News on programme Naya Pakistan , the foreign minister said: Even when you are in a state of war, such talks always do take place.
Qureshi said that Pakistan has always desired a resolution to tensions between the two countries through a dialogue but this was opposed by India. India was the one that avoided a comprehensive dialogue. Pakistan was never the one to refuse it.