MULTAN, Nov 26: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said Pakistan wants friendly relations with India and seeks to resolve through dialogue all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek and river water share.

Talking to newsmen after laying the foundation of a water supply scheme in Makhdoom Rasheed area near Multan on Friday, he said Pakistan had strongly condemned the Mumbai attacks of 2008 and wanted to see the culprits punished.

He said Pakistan had shared information with India and also given some suggestions in this connection.

Mr Qureshi described as baseless reports about permission given for drone strikes in Balochistan.

He condemned a recent attack on Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz Omar Farooq and said action should be taken against those involved in it. He said the Kashmiris’ struggle was peaceful and the attack was an attempt to harm it.

Replying to a question, he said the issue of a complaint by USAID to the National Accountability Bureau regarding corruption by NGOs in funds meant for flood-affected people was not related to the government.

Mr Quershi said the government was of the view that funds for flood survivors should be spent through it.

He said the government would have taken the responsibility and opted for an audit had the funds been spent through it. But the funds were spent by NGOs.

The minister said that a reduction in the number of British visas given to Pakistanis was not related to the Aasia Bibi case. “Our point of view is clear that no one should be punished without justice.”

He urged people not to try to settle personal scores by taking undue advantage of the blasphemy law. People who believed in the holy books respected the Last Prophet (PBUH), he said.

Mr Qureshi said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had set up a committee to investigate the inconvenience faced by Pakistani Haj pilgrims and action would be taken against people responsible for it.—APP

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...