Islamabad, 13 January 2022 (TDI): Recently the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Sha Mehmood Qureshi visited Romania and Spain. The visit reinforced longstanding cooperation and friendship between the partners.
Romania and Spain visit of Foreign Minister
During his stay in Bucharest, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi met with the Romanian Prime Minister. He also met with the Romanian Foreign Minister, Minister for Economy as well as other dignitaries.
Two MoUs relating to Cooperation between the (FPCCI) and the Romanian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI) and awards of scholarships to Pakistani students were signed in the meetings.
Whilst there, the Foreign Minister also interacted with the Pakistani community and inaugurated the ‘Pakistan Cultural & Trade Exhibition Center’ at the Pakistan Embassy in Romania.
His next stop was Madrid, Spain. During his stay in Spain, Shah Mehmood Qureshi held meetings with his Spanish counterpart, as well as the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Tourism.
In addition, he also met with the members of the Foreign Relations Committee of Congress of Deputies. The Foreign Minister also called on the President of Congress of Deputies of Spain.
Furthermore, he interacted with members of Academia, and the Pakistani community in Spain. Whilst in Madrid, he also met the Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization to deliberate upon benefiting from WTO’s expertise for the development and digital transformation of the tourism sector of Pakistan.
Launch of Pak-China Business Investment Forum
Prime Minister Imran Khan, on 3 January, launched the Pak-China Business Investment Forum. The Forum is aimed to increase investment in Pakistan along with promoting business-to-business industrial collaboration.
Pak-China Business Investment Forum will boost the export industry, sustainable investment, and the expansion of modern technology in Pakistan.
Visit of Secretary-General of GCC
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf visited Pakistan at the invitation of the Foreign Minister on 5 January. The Secretary-General met with the Minister for Finance and Revenue, as well as Prime Minister’s Advisor for Commerce and Investment, besides delegation-level talks with the Foreign Minister.
The visit was a great opportunity to reevaluate Pak-GCC ties and inculcate enhanced collaboration in a multitude of fields, with a focus on economic and trade cooperation between the GCC Member States and Pakistan.
Visit of Business Delegation of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industries
In addition, a business delegation led by the Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industries also visited Pakistan. The delegation called on the Prime Minister, President, Foreign Minister as well as other dignitaries. It imparted further impetus to the bilateral economic relationships.
International Seminar on Combating Corruption
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi inaugurated an International Seminar on the theme of “Combating Corruption – A Prerequisite for the full enjoyment of all Human Rights and Sustainable Development.”
The Seminar was jointly organized by the Government of Pakistan and the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission in collaboration with the UN. It was held in Islamabad from 6-7 January 2022.
More than 200 international and national stakeholders attended the International Seminar. ‘Islamabad Declaration on Combating Corruption for the full realization of all Human Rights and Sustainable Development’ was adopted based on the deliberations of the Seminar.
The Seminar was part of the persistent efforts of Pakistan to bolster the international framework for the promotion and protection of all human rights, against corruption, recovery of stolen assets, and accomplishment of sustainable and inclusive development.
Visit of European Delegation
Sohail Mahmood, the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan met with a delegation from European countries. The delegation was on a study visit to Pakistan. The visit was organized by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). The purpose of the visit was to evaluate the prospects for support and collaboration in the domain of migration management.
Visit of KSA Delegation
A delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) also visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 10 January. The 25-member delegation had members from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College of KSA.
During its visit, the delegation was briefed on fundamental characteristics of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy including the commitment to forge a more profound partnership with Saudi Arabia.
SAPM and Foreign Secretary briefed Heads of Diplomatic Missions
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Dr. Sania Nishtar, and Sohail Mahmood, the Foreign Secretary briefed the Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Islamabad on 10 January.
The briefing was on the “Declaration on Establishing a Global Social Protection Knowledge Platform.” which is headed by Pakistan in New York, in partnership with a “Group of Friends on Social Protection”.
Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood also had a virtual meeting with the Ambassadors of Pakistan as well as Consuls General, along with Heads of Camp Offices in provincial capitals.
The purpose of the meeting was to review matters related to the Prime Minister’s Performance Delivery Unit (PMDU). It was held with a view to further enhance the efficacy of the resolution of complaints and public service delivery.
Kashmiris’ Right to Self-determination Day was observed
Kashmiris’ Right to Self-determination Day was observed on 5 January. the United Nations Commission for India & Pakistan (UNCIP) on this day in 1949, guaranteed the Kashmiri people the right to self-determination in its resolution, through an impartial and free plebiscite under the auspices of the UN.
Messages by President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister on the Occasion
The President, the Prime Minister, and the Foreign Minister shared messages to commemorate the day. In their messages, they highlighted the grave human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
They urged the international community to ensure accountability for the crimes against humanity in IIOJK along with playing their role in resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UNSC resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people
In their messages marking the Day, the President, the Prime Minister, and the Foreign Minister highlighted the grave human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and urged the international community to ensure accountability for these crimes against humanity.
In addition, they urged them to play their role in resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as per the UNSC resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people. Pakistan enunciated its dedicated support for the Kashmiris till the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.
The act of the Indian occupation forces is reprehensible; the killing spree in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Since the beginning of 2022, at least 15 Kashmiris have fallen victim to so-called cordon-and-search operations and extra-judicial killings in fake encounters.
Moreover, at least 210 Kashmiris were martyred in 2021. India is also shamelessly targeting human rights defenders and journalists. Pakistan is concerned and is continuously alerting the international community about India’s track record.
Indian State-terrorism
The possibility of India staging another False Flag Operation to complicate the present situation is real and cannot be overruled. Therefore, Pakistan continues to alert the international community about this prospect.
Pakistan calls on the global community to take prompt notice of the Indian state-terrorism in IIOJK along with holding India accountable for the blatant violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in IIOJK.
India must allow unhindered access to humanitarian and international human rights organizations as well as to UN Special Mandate Holders so as to conduct independent investigations in the IIOJK.
Rise in Hate Crimes in India
The insult and despicable harassment of Muslim women in India via purpose-built online applications are widely and rightly condemned. This offensive and disgusting act is the newest low in the violent streak of targeting and hate attacks against minorities of the country with impunity supervised by the BJP-RSS extremist.
Consequently, space for minorities is continually shrinking in India. The deafening silence of the BJP leadership and lack of tangible action against ‘Hindutva’ adherents openly calling for the genocide of Muslims ought to send alarm bells across the global community.
Prime Minister of Pakistan said that it is high time they take note and act to prevent this treacherous descent and guarantee the security, safety, and well-being of minorities in India.
Afghanistan Situation
Pakistan continues to follow closely the situation in Afghanistan and welcomes the launch by the UN; the largest single country aid appeal ever, for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.
This comes in the wake of the OIC Extra-ordinary Ministerial Session in Islamabad which was held last month with the focus on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. It is imperative that urgent action is needed to avert a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan.
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