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ISLAMABAD, (MANEND NEWS): Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah
Mahmood Qureshi has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further
deepen partnership with the European Union.
Addressing virtually the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs
Committee on Wednesday, he said Pakistan considers the EU a highly
valued partner and remains open to engagement on all issues.
He said the GSP Plus has supported Pakistan’s exports and it has
introduced reforms to attract foreign direct investment to maximally
utilize this facility.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan offers an open and deregulated
market with 100 percent equity ownership and repatriation of capital
and dividends. Our IT sector is brimming with talent. Over the last five
years, IT exports have increased by 151 percent. The EU can benefit
from Pakistan’s human resource in the IT sector to realize its goals of
Digitization.
He said investments from the EU member states in Pakistan’s export
promotion zones could create a win-win proposition.
The Foreign Minister expressed his disappointment over the adoption
of a resolution by the European Parliament on blasphemy laws in
Pakistan. He said this discourse in the European Parliament reflected a
lack of understanding of blasphemy laws and associated religious
sensitivities. He said we need to appreciate the religious sentiments
attached to the personality of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and other
religious symbols.
He said like every other democratic and free society, we value freedom
of expression. However, it should not be abused to hurt religious
feelings of others. Willful provocations and incitement to hate and
violence must not be allowed and be universally outlawed.
In the regional context, the Foreign Minister said Pakistan believes in
the policy of restraint and peaceful coexistence.
He said Pakistan remains firmly committed to improving relations with
all its neighbours, including India. Unfortunately, our overtures for
peace were not reciprocated by India. The Jammu and Kashmir dispute
is indeed the single biggest obstacle in the way of building a durable
and lasting peace in South Asia. He said a solution in accordance with
the relevant UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people is
indispensible.
He said EU Disinfo lab unearthed India’s nefarious activities and we
continue to urge EU authorities to take notice of this massive
misinformation campaign against Pakistan and not let third countries
misuse the name of EU institutions.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan wishes to see an end to the
Afghan conflict through a negotiated political settlement. He said
Pakistan will continue to play a role in facilitating the Afghan peace
process.
He however said there are elements, both inside and outside
Afghanistan, which do not want peace and security. We should remain
vigilant of machinations of such spoilers. He said Pakistan-EU
cooperation would be important in preserving the political, economic
and social gains of past two decades, as well as rehabilitation of the
Afghan refugees.