Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said some priorities of the Biden administration were in accordance with those of Prime Minister Imran Khan's, particularly on the environment, money laundering and corruption.

Citing the example of environment and climate change, the foreign minister said that the Biden administration had given diplomat John Kerry the responsibility of playing a role in tackling climate change as a special envoy.

"Imran Khan has previously said on several occasions that Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change," he said while speaking to the media in Multan.

The minister's comments come a day after his telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss bilateral ties, the Afghan peace process and the Daniel Pearl murder case.

Speaking about the phone call, Qureshi said the US had also highlighted the priority of battling corruption and money laundering which was also "in line with the premier's thinking".

Referring to the Pearl murder case, Qureshi said: "I also informed [Blinken] that our courts are free which operate within the country's law and Constitution."

He added that Blinken had expressed "concern" over the apex court's decision in the case.

"I informed him that the Sindh government, after consulting with the Centre, had decided to file a review petition [in the Supreme Court]."

Qureshi said he told the US state secretary that Pakistan was aware of its responsibility regarding all legal options within the ambit of the law. He reaffirmed that it was the wish of the Pakistan government as well that "the family of Daniel Pearl should be given justice" but it should be "within the limits of the law".

"Pakistan has made progress against terrorism and terrorist networks. We understand the pain of those families, numbering thousands, that have been affected by this and lost their loved ones," he said while speaking to reporters.

The foreign minister said he had a "good conversation" with Blinken and hoped that interaction and engagement between the two administrations would continue on key aspects of the bilateral relationship.

'Uncovering India's true face'

The foreign minister addressed various topics regarding India but pointed out he had had no specific conversation on the Kashmir issue with his US counterpart.

However, he did add that US representatives had previously been made aware about "India's role as a spoiler" and its activities to "destabilise Pakistan".

Addressing the dossier on Indian terrorism in Pakistan, he said: "You will see more on this in the upcoming days which will uncover India's true face."

He added that the revelations about an Indian disinformation campaign by the EU DisInfo lab were being noticed. "European Union parliamentarians in Brussels were briefed on the report and I'm confident concrete measures will be taken on it."

Qureshi also stated that Pakistan has raised the issue of Kashmir on every forum. "It is our duty and [Pakistan] has raised [the issue] successfully."

He said that the world had recognised Pakistan's stance on the issue as a result of which numerous international human rights bodies were now being critical of India.

He added the United Nations Security Council, House of Commons in the British Parliament and the EU also had discussions on the Kashmir issue which illustrated Pakistan's success in highlighting Indian atrocities in the occupied valley.

He added that even members of the opposition, Senators Javed Abbasi and Nuzhat Sadiq from the PML-N, had commended the government's efforts in this regard.

The foreign minister also addressed the ongoing farmers' protests in India and noted they had "picked up speed". He commended the Sikh community in Indian Punjab for their "great farming" and achievements in agricultural productivity.

He stated that the farmers remained committed to their stance despite the attempts of the BJP government to rein them in through force, bribery or by targeting their leaders. He affirmed the protests as their "fundamental and constitutional right".

'No clarity in opposition ranks'

Commenting on the opposition, Qureshi said that it was a victim of "confusion" and that he still didn't understand what it desired. "There is no clarity in the opposition ranks."

He pointed out the lack of resignations from the provincial and national assemblies and said: "We never had any doubts that [the opposition] didn't intend to hand in their resignations. The PPP will never leave [the] Sindh government."

He remarked that the opposition had now changed their tune to handing in their resignations at an "appropriate time". "When will that be? From what I understand it'll be in 2023."

Responding to reports about the PPP's decision to nominate Yousuf Raza Gilani for Senate chairman, the foreign minister remarked that it was the party's decision. "First they have to decide if they want to nominate him [Gilani] and whether he can get elected from Punjab."

He said the PPP didn't have the numbers to field a candidate from Punjab in the Senate polls "so it means they will nominate him from Sindh or there will be 'horse-trading' in Punjab". He remarked that if Gilani was elected to the Senate then he would have to bid farewell to politicking on ground.

Qureshi also stated that curbing corruption was among the foremost agendas of the PTI-led government. "The PTI understands that until we control corruption, the country will not move forward into the age of prosperity."

He said the government was tackling the issue on every front and that those responsible for it would be uncovered. "We haven't given them any relief and nor is there any intention to do so."

'Working on providing relief to the people'

Responding to a question from a reporter regarding the soaring prices of essential commodities such as flour and sugar, Qureshi said: "You are right, the nation wants relief and we are taking a lot of steps to provide that relief to the people."

He emphasised that the reasons for Pakistan's current inflationary woes should be understood. According to him, this was because the previous government kept the dollar at artificially low prices which affected the country's treasury and foreign exchange reserves.

He said that the practice can't be sustained indefinitely so when the PML-N government went and the dollar returned to being determined by market mechanisms, "the dollar appreciated".

He also pointed out that the massive loans the previous government took were an additional burden on the incumbent government since "the majority of our treasury is being used to pay back those loans," adding that servicing past debts has "become a big challenge for Pakistan".

He stated, however, that with Pakistan's exports increasing, "opportunities of livelihood are improving and productivity is increasing" and eventually prices of essentials will fall when the gap between demand and supply is reduced.

Qureshi pointed out that the current economic problems in Pakistan can't be viewed in isolation. He said that the pandemic has impacted the world at large and caused an economic contraction and slowdown which has also affected prices.

"There are multiple factors over which Pakistan has no control."

Despite that the government is taking initiatives to bring a break in this state of affairs such as the clear stance against mafias and cartels, he said.

"We are against mafias, it is a clear policy of ours. This government has uncovered those mafias, taken action against them and carried out inquiries against them."

He added the government was taking action based on the recommendations of such inquiries and "there will be no space given to any mafia — internal or external".