ISLAMABAD - Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says the world cannot shove the Palestine question under the carpet for long as it will continue resurfacing and simmering.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera TV, the foreign minister maintained, “I think, you cannot shove the Palestinians question under the carpet for too long. It will continue resurfacing, the way you look the other way, it will continue simmering.” To a question regarding importance of US-Pakistan bilateral ties, he said that US could not afford to ignore Pakistan. Look at the size and geo-strategic location Pakistan has been placed in, its place among the Ummah and the history of these ties, Pakistan and US had been allies. They could not lose Pakistan, as it would be ‘a big political mistake, he said. Pakistan could not be blamed if things went wrong in Afghanistan, he said, adding Pakistan has played its part in the peace and stability of Afghanistan and would continue to do so. “We cannot be held responsible if there were internal squabbling inside Afghanistan,” he said.
About China’s role in Afghanistan, he said China was its neighbour and their interests in peace and stability were inevitable. They can help them in reconstruction, moreover, China is building an economic corridor and the Gwadar port would facilitate the landlocked Central Asian Republics who are part of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), so their interest is natural, he maintained.
The foreign minister categorically that Pakistan was not looking for post-cold war camp situation. They realised the significance of ties with the US and valued its strategic cooperation with China. “We want to be at peace with neighbours,” he said, adding it was India that shied away from bilateral ties, it ran away from composite and comprehensive dialogue, vitiated the atmosphere and violated bilateral agreements.