In his brief remarks after arriving in Goa on his maiden visit to India, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed hope that the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers would be “successful”.
“I am happy to be here in Goa to attend the SCO meeting. I hope the SCO CFM will be a success,” he said.
Before leaving Karachi, the foreign minister shared on social media that Pakistan’s participation in the May 4-5 SCO meeting was proof that the country takes its membership in the organization “seriously”.
“I am en route to Goa, India. I will lead the Pakistani delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) CFM. My decision to attend this meeting reflects Pakistan’s strong commitment to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Charter.
Bilawal wrote on Twitter, “During my visit, which is solely focused on the SCO, I look forward to constructive discussions with our counterparts from friendly countries.”
On my way to Goa, India. Will be leading the Pakistan delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization CFM. My decision to attend this meeting illustrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to the charter of SCO.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) May 4, 2023
During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look… pic.twitter.com/cChUWj9okR
Earlier, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) sources said that the Indian civil aviation authorities contacted the aviation authority and finalized the route for the special aircraft.
Qureshi, Fawad at odds over Bilawal’s India visit
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi – who was foreign minister in the Imran Khan-led government – believed there was “nothing wrong” with Bilawal’s visit to India.
“Pakistan is a member of SCO which is an important forum,” Qureshi said while talking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court.
He said that Pakistan should use this forum for regional development.
On the other hand, taking exception to the Foreign Minister’s visit, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter to “strongly condemn” the development, saying that the FO chose to attend the meeting via video instead of going to India. Should have done. Link.
FMK’s visit to Goa is strongly condemned, it would have been possible to participate on video but the problem is that you people are willing to ignore the atrocities of the Modi junta in Kashmir for the love of Modi and India to please the Modi junta. Muslims and minorities are facing difficulties. . Pakistan’s foreign policy is dead in all definitions of the word,” the PTI leader tweeted.
Strongly condemn FM visit of Goa, participation would have been possible on video but problem is you people in love of Modi are ready to disregard atrocities committed by Modi Janta in Kashmir and hardships Muslims of India and minorities to make Modi Janta happy. Pak Foreign… https://t.co/TTdhVhgZAs
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) May 4, 2023
Bilawal consults PDM, JI
Ahead of his visit, the foreign minister took into confidence heads of various political parties, including coalition partners and the head of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), through telephonic conversation.
The Foreign Minister called Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Ameer Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Balochistan National Party Mengal (BNP) President Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) Convenor Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. . Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Siraj-ul-Haq and National Party (NP) leader Tahir Bizenjo.
He consulted them during his two-day visit to Goa.
SCO Moot
A Foreign Office spokesperson had earlier said, “Our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistan’s commitment to the Charter and Practice of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the importance Pakistan attaches to the region in its foreign policy priorities.”
Apart from deliberating on important regional and international issues and signing some institutional documents, the Council will finalize the agenda and decisions to be adopted by the 17th SCO Council of Heads of State meeting.
The meeting will also see the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Bahrain, Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar and the United Arab Emirates to become dialogue partners of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Apart from Pakistan, the member countries of Shanghai Cooperation Organization include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and India.
FM Bilawal will also meet his counterparts from friendly countries on the occasion of SCO.
‘No bilateral meeting with Indian leaders’
Last week, FM Bilawal dismissed speculations surrounding his visit to India and clarified that he should not “misunderstand the bilateral relations” between the two neighboring countries.
Bilawal while talking to JEE News said that he did not make any request to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to the organization, Bilawal said that he cannot allow India to isolate Pakistan any longer.
This is the first visit by a senior Pakistani official to India since then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended the swearing-in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014.
