Islamabad (November 23, 2018): Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that elements wanted to sabotage the Pak-China relations and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Qureshi and Sharif were speaking on the floor of the National Assembly following the foiled attack on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi in which two policemen were martyred an three terrorists killed.
The foreign minister said that elements wanted to sabotage Pak-China relations and CPEC. “This project [CPEC] is providing economic activity which is not bearable for many. They do not want peace and economic prosperity in Pakistan,” Qureshi said.
“I want to tell those elements that Pak-China friendship is strong and we have the will and capability to tackle their nefarious designs,” the foreign minister added.
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Foreign Minister Qureshi also paid tribute to the two policemen who were martyred foiling the attack. He said the policemen lost their lives when they stopped one of the attackers who detonated his suicide jacket. According to the foreign minister, two other attackers were killed by snipers before they could enter the consular section.
“The terrorists wanted to create a hostage situation but their plan was foiled. There were about 21 Chinese staff members at the consulate and they are all safe and shifted to a safe location,” Qureshi told the National Assembly.
Talking about recent development of Kartar Pura, Qureshi expressed the confidence that the opening of Kartar Pura crossing will create goodwill between Pakistan and India.
He said this corridor will encourage Sikh community to visit Pakistan in large numbers.
He said the government has taken a major initiative by deciding to open the Kartar Pura crossing which has also been appreciated by the entire Nation including the opposition. He said the Sikh community all over the world including Canada, UK and India are also hailing the decision.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will perform the grounding breaking of Kartar Pura corridor on Wednesday.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan has taken a positive step by deciding to open Kartar Pura crossing and the Indian side should also reciprocate.
He said that Indian leadership should also demonstrate the courage to open doors for the Kashmiri people for trade and people to people contacts.
He said Pakistan has given a message of peace on the LoC but regretted that Indian side is resorting to violence and unleashed atrocities on the Kashmiri people.
The Foreign Minister said that Pakistan desires friendly relations with all its neighbors including India. He said resolution of all outstanding disputes with India lies only in the dialogue process.
Referring to the dialogue offer made by the Prime Minister to the Indian side, he said the Indian side back tracked from the talks due to domestic political pressure. He, however, said that Pakistan still desires dialogue with India.
Earlier, Opposition Leader Shahbaz Sharif condemned the terrorist attack on the Chinese consulate. He said China is the most time tested friend of Pakistan along with Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
He praised the swift response of the Sindh Police and Rangers.
He stressed that this attack showed how the country’s opponents could not bear Pak-China friendship.
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Sharif emphasised that China was among the few countries who had supported Pakistan through difficult times.
“From Peshawar to Karachi no one has any doubts that China is the most trusted and time-tested friend of Pakistan along with Turkey and Saudi Arabia,” Sharif said.
Shehbaz Sharif added that no one had any doubt that CPEC would be beneficial not only for Pakistan but the entire region. While appreciating the foreign minister for statements over CPEC today, Sharif was critical of past statements from the government which he claimed made the project controversial.
The opposition leader said Pakistan needed to send a clear message to the countries enemies that if they look at us from an evil eye the entire nation would be united against them.
Finance Minister Asad Umar has made it clear that the government will only sign such an IMF package which is in the interest of Pakistan’s economy and the people.
Making a policy statement in the National Assembly today about talks with the IMF mission, he said we are not in a hurry for the IMF package as alternative arrangements have been made to address immediate economic needs of the country. He said we will not make any decision which adds to the difficulties of the people.
The Finance Minister said that Pakistan has already signed an economic assistance package with Saudi Arabia while talks with other friendly countries are underway. He said that we have to take steps to reduce trade, current account and budget deficits.
Asad Umar said that 15.50 percent increase has been witnessed in the remittances over the last three months. He said the overseas Pakistan have sent additional one billion dollars to Pakistan during this period.
About the prices of petroleum, the Finance Minister said we have substantially reduced taxes on the diesel.
Asad Umar urged the opposition not to do politics on China Pakistan Economic Corridor as it will not augur well for the country.
Responding to the points of opposition members, Law Minister Farogh Nasim said NAB law is being examined with the consultation of other political parties. He said the government is against any excesses but it is our responsibility to ensure implementation of relevant laws. He said we will also fully comply with the orders of the Supreme Court.
The Law Minister rejected the impression that the NAB is only targeting the politicians. According to the NAB Statistics, only 4.5 percent inquiries, two percent investigations and 1.1 percent references are pending against the politicians.
During the session today, PPP leader Rafih Ullah also presented a gift of Sindhi cap and Ajrak to the members.
Earlier, the National Assembly resumed its session at the parliament house in Islamabad on Friday with Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri in the chair.
At the outset, the house offered fateha for the departed souls of former MNA Najaf Abbas, SP Tahir Dawar, Tableeghi Jamaat Chief Muhammad Abdul Wahab and the mother of deputy speaker.
The National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution paying homage to last Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
The resolution was moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan.
It expressed the resolve to make Pakistan and the world cradle of peace and stability in accordance with the life and teachings of the last Prophet.
Responding to the points of opposition members on the martyrdom of SP Tahir Dawar, Minister of State for Communication Murad Saeed said those involved in the despicable incident will be brought to justice. He pointed out that Pakistan has rendered innumerable sacrifices in the war on terrorism. He said certain elements do not want peace in Pakistan and also want to sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project. He said that India also stands exposed on the Ajmal Kasab case.
Pakistan People Party Raja Pervaiz Ashraf appreciated the government decision to construct Kartar Pura corridor saying it will promote religious tourism in the country and also have a positive impact in the regional context.
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