ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office announced on Thursday that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will represent Pakistan at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to be held in Goa, India on May 4-5.
The Foreign Office had received an invitation letter from Bilawal’s Indian counterpart, Dr. S. Jaishankar, in January this year. India assumed the presidency of the SCO in September last year. The Minister of External Affairs is attending the meeting of SCOCFM on the invitation of Dr. S. Jaishankar, the present Chair of SCOCFM, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India. Our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistan’s commitment to the Charter and process of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the importance Pakistan attaches to the region in its foreign policy priorities,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch announced.
Stressing that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s visit was not bilateral, the spokesperson said that the Foreign Minister had also attended the last meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Tashkent in July last year.
Earlier in 2011, it was Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, another Foreign Minister from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) who was invited by her counterpart SM Krishna for a bilateral visit to India when the bilateral There was tension in the relationship.
When asked about possible meetings between Bilawal and Prime Minister Modi and his counterpart Dr S Jaishankar during the weekly media briefing, Baloch replied, “I have always said that when decisions are taken, we will make an official announcement. Now that the decision has been taken, we are making preparations for the visit. We will make further announcements in the coming days as soon as decisions are made. However, I must point out that the Foreign Minister The upcoming visit is not a bilateral visit but a visit in the context of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
To a question about the possibility of journalists coming to Goa for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting, the spokesperson said that it is a multilateral event and there is a mechanism for the participation of delegations and journalists. “We will share these details with journalists so that you know how to register yourself and how to participate”, he added.
Referring to the end of Ramadan, the spokesperson said it is time to remember our brothers and sisters in India’s illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). “Even during this holy month, the occupying authorities have imposed restrictions and restrictions on religious freedom.
“Last week, the occupying authorities prevented Kashmiris from offering Friday prayers at the Jama Masjid in Srinagar. Similarly, heavy security forces were deployed around the mosques on the occasion of Shab Qadr, the holy night of 27th Ramadan. We urge the Indian authorities to remove restrictions on Kashmiris that prevent them from freely practicing their religion.
He said that Pakistan will continue to raise its voice against these serious and systematic violations of human rights in IIOJ&K. We will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir conflict in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
As the fighting in Sudan flared with Pakistan’s mission, Bilawal Bhutto said in a tweet, “We are closely watching the alarming situation in Sudan. The safety of Pakistanis living in the country is our top priority. Pakistan Embassy in Khartoum Sudan I am in constant touch with the Pakistanis. I have directed the ambassador to help all the needy people as much as possible.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office spokesperson said that Pakistan will continue to follow the developments in Sudan and is closely monitoring the safety and security of the Pakistani community there. “Our embassy in Sudan is in close contact with our community and will continue to facilitate them there. The number of Pakistanis is around 1500. Our embassy has advised them that they are aware of the current situation in the country. In view of the developments, stay indoors for your own safety. The welfare of Pakistanis is the top priority of the Government of Pakistan.
Officially commenting for the first time on the return of Pakistan’s Head of Mission in Afghanistan Obaidur Rehman Nizamani to Kabul, the spokesman said that this was done after Kabul assured the security of Pakistan’s mission and its diplomats. “He has returned to Kabul and resumed his duties. This was possible after close consultation with the Afghan Interim Government,” the foreign minister said in a conversation with Acting Afghan Minister for Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi on April 15. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also reiterated the need and responsibility of the Afghan Interim Government for the safety and security of our diplomatic missions and personnel in Afghanistan. Ambassador Nizmani and his team have our best wishes and support,” he said. .
Meanwhile, in response to a question during a press conference at Zardari House, Bilawal said that he will go to India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting, adding that Pakistan is committed to implementing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Charter. Is. Bilawal said that he will contact all political parties before visiting India. He said that I will take feedback from political parties and prepare my strategy in the light of it.
