Multan    -   Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Friday that the opposition parties were divided over Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) march and the sit-in scheduled to be held in Islamabad by the end of this month.

Talking to the media after performing groundbreaking of various development projects in different areas of Multan, Qureshi said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif had opposed the march during party’s meeting in Lahore. He said that opposition leader in the National Assembly had also disliked Captain (r) Muhammad Safdar’s statement on the march.

The foreign minister further said that a meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif had not taken place on the JUI-F march so far, adding that cracks had also appeared in Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) ranks over the issue. Qureshi criticised Bilawal Bhutto’s statement in which he had said that PPP workers would welcome the marchers in various cities.

He said that the opposition did not have consensus on October 27 sit in and even PML-N was divided on this issue. He claimed that the PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif had admitted in recent two-hour long meeting with his party leaders that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s sit-in was wrong and they should not cooperate for it. He added that the PPP also had two opinions on the sit-in and only Nawaz Sharif was in its favour. He said that when PTI staged sit in Bilawal used to say that the sit in politics was harmful for democracy. “Bilawal has been opponent of politics of sit in but now he says they will welcome Maulana’s sit in. Wouldn’t it pose derailment threat to the democracy today?” he posed a question. He asked Bilawal that whose instigation he was supporting the sit in on. He claimed that the PTI staged a peaceful sit in while today everyone including media knew that what were the motives behind  Maulana’s sit in.

To a query, he said that the traders did not meet with the Army Chief rather industrialists called on him. “Positive results have emerged after their meeting,” he claimed. He said that the government had a desire to settle issues with the traders, fix economy, restore sick industries and remove obstacles in way of investment.

Responding to a question, he ruled out the possibility of any dialogue with India, saying keeping in view the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir talks with India did not look feasible.

“The USA or any third power should play role on Kashmir issue,” he demanded while talking to the media. He declared that solidarity would be expressed with Kashmiris on October 27 across the country. He disclosed that the government had decided that besides expressing solidarity with the Kashmiris in Pakistan, all diplomatic missions would also mark October 27 as black day.

He said that the silence of international media and world on Kashmir was regrettable. “If a small incident takes place in Europe, entire world present it as a breaking news but Kashmir is under curfew for more than 63 days and Indian barbarianism and aggression is quite visible but the silence of world powers on it is regrettable,” he lamented.

He disclosed that India made relentless efforts to get Pakistan blacklisted in FATF. “But she will fail in her efforts. The steps this government has taken against money laundering and terror financing in this short period could not be taken during last ten years. We’ll present our viewpoint in Paris with full strength,” he declared.

He said that some powers wanted to disintegrate the Muslims. He added that Pakistan had strong strategic ties with Saudi Arabia while Iran was our neighbour and friend. “We’re making efforts to mediate between both the countries. It is our strong desire that the misunderstandings between both the countries should get clear through dialogue,” he noted. He said that Pakistan also made efforts for peace in Afghanistan and no new clash should take place in the region. He said that Pakistan had strong friendly relations with China and we had no reservations on Chinese President’s India visit. “Chinese President fully agrees with Pakistan’s viewpoint,” he added. He said that Turkey was time tested friend of Pakistan and all issues were being discussed by both the countries. 

ADDRESS AT PUBLIC GATHERING

Qureshi said PTI would make government in Sindh with the power of youth after the next general elections. Addressing a public gathering, Qureshi said youngsters of Sindh were looking for change. He lauded the role of youngsters in the party and said they were joining PTI after being disappointed with PML-N and PPP.

Qureshi added that the country was in safe hands and urged people not to follow the rumours. He said work would be started soon on phase II of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He appreciated Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE for financially support to Pakistan during crucial time. He said the country’s economy was moving towards stability, adding investors from China were ready to invest in Pakistan which would not only strengthen the country’s economy but also provide jobs to youth.

He said we wanted to have good relationship with all countries on the basis of equality. He announced that he would inaugurate various development projects at Suraj Kund road and Sui Gas road on October 16. He said development work had been started on different projects in NA 156 where funds of Rs one billion would be spent.