Government not afraid of JUI-F march but its timing is wrong, says Qureshi – Pakistan

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Monday that the government "was not afraid at all" of the next & # 39; Azaadi March & # 39; by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

Speaking to journalists in his hometown, Multan, the minister said: "It is your democratic right (JUI-F), but I said it before and I repeat that the time is wrong, the date is not appropriate."

"October 27 is the cursed and black day that India occupied Kashmir. It is the day when Indian forces invaded Kashmir, so the day is seen as a Black Day every year," he said.

Read more: "He will continue to urge India to lift the curfew and release all prisoners," the US senators say after visiting AJK

Qureshi added: "The feelings of the Kashmir people will be hurt if the JUI-F links the day to internal politics."

"The nation does not like its decision for October 27," he said, adding that, in his opinion, there is no need for this protest because the international approach is already in Kashmir.

The conduct of opposition parties on the issue of Kashmir is their political need, said the minister.

Kashmir Diplomacy

After discussing the issue of Kashmir, he said: "I do not believe that India is in a position to allow anyone to visit it. [occupied] Kashmir, where they have imposed a curfew, where basic rights are suspended.

"US Senator Chris Van Hollen told me he wanted to visit [occupied] Kashmir, but was denied permission, "he said, questioning why he was denied entry if everything was fine in Kashmir, according to the Indian government's claim.

According to the minister, the senator also expressed his desire to visit Azad Jammu and Kashmir and was facilitated in this regard. Qureshi made it clear that if someone, particularly from the Parliament of the United Kingdom or the European Union, wishes to visit AJK, it will be facilitated.

He expressed disappointment at the conduct of the Indian judiciary and the media, which he said are apparently under pressure from Hindu extremists.

FATF

The minister, while answering a question, said: "Pakistan informed the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in Bangkok about his point of view and explained the measures taken by Islamabad to the FATF Asia and Pacific Group.

"I think that Pakistan has, to a large extent, satisfied friends that we are serious against money laundering and that we have taken solid measures to maintain controls over money laundering, and the current government has taken more action in a year. to maintain controls the financing of terrorism that all the steps taken during the last decade. "

He added that despite Indian efforts to push Pakistan to the FATF blacklist, Pakistan's point of view and efforts will be recognized at the FATF session in Paris.

CPEC

Speaking about the concerns expressed by the opposition about the pace of projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said that although the opposition often expresses reservations about the issue, there is nothing to worry about.

"The opposition addresses the issue unnecessarily; China is satisfied, Pakistan is satisfied. We have advanced to the next phase [of CPEC]"he told reporters.