pkpatriotic
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We will stand 'shoulder-to-shoulder' with India
Saturday, 29 Nov, 2008 | 06:35 PM PST
ISLAMABAD: A statement was released by the Pakistani government on Saturday following crisis talks within the cabinet in response to the 'evolving situation' following the 'barbaric act of terrorism' which took place in Mumbai.
The statement, which was delivered by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood
Qureshi declared that the Pakistani governement, following a 'frank, candid' discussion which analysed the situation 'thread-bare', was unanimous in its condemnation of the attacks in Mumbai.
Qureshi stated that the government of Pakistan 'offered its condolences to the government of India and its bereaved families.'
'Pakistan will stand by India in these difficult times,' he said. 'We will combat terrorism in all forms and manifestations,' he continued 'because we are also victims of terrorism.'
Qureshi also stated that terrorism was a 'common threat' and that Pakistan was willing to stand 'shoulder-to-shoulder' with India in combatting terrorism.
Qureshi said that Pakistanis were prepared to offer 'unconditional support and assistance to unearth' who was behind this attack. Qureshi went on to say that the government 'attached the highest importance to friendly and good neighbourly relations with India.'
Pakistan had decided to take on board the entire political leadership of Pakisan with regards to dealing with the current situation. However, Qureshi also pointed out that 'finger-pointing' and 'hasty conclusions' will only serve the terrorists' interests.
Qureshi stated that the government and the people of Pakistan were certain that there was no involvement in the attacks from Pakistan. He also pointed out that there was no evidence implicating Pakistan or Pakistan-based militants in the attacks on Mumbai. 'I faced the Indian media,' Qureshi said. 'The Indian government has not blamed the government of Pakistan, be very clear about it.'
Regarding bilateral assistance, Qureshi stated that the government of India had requested cooperation and the government of Pakistan had decided to extend full support to India diplomatically and defensively. Any intelligence which Pakistan has which might be relevant to the situation will be made available to Indian security forces, Qureshi said.
'Our hands our clean, we have nothing to hide, we have nothing to be ashamed of' Qureshi said. According to the foreign minister, all state institutions were unanimous in their agreement that cooperation would serve the interests of both countries.
'We are a reponsible nation and a responsible neighbour and we are not taking any decisions under pressure,' he said.
However he cautioned that 'we'll have to let the dust settle in order to dispassionately analyse what happened,' in Mumbai.
'It is in Pakistan and India's interest to diffuse the tension.'
Qureshi also discussed talks which he had held with his Indian counterpart Mr Pranab Mukherjee. 'We had decided on various bilateral initiatives and exchanges. At that time nobody knew the attacks had occurred. And despite finding out, I decided to stay on and that was the calm thing to do.'
'The world must know,' he added, 'that we have shades of opinion but when it comes to national dignity and national security, we stand together.'
Qureshi also pointed out that Prime Minister Gilani will be contacting leaders from all of Pakistan's political parties. 'We want to brief and involve all the important political players and face the problem together,' he said, adding that the Prime Minister had already discussed the situation with leaders of the PML-N and PML-Q.
Qureshi also stressed his concern surrounding the diplomatic ramification of the event. 'I could see Pakistan and India warming up to each other and increasing cooperation,' he said. 'My assessment was that we were moving in the right direction... our engagement with India was constructive.'
'Obviously, this kind of event puts pressure on all the stakeholders involved,' Qureshi said. However, the minister also pointed out that the Indian media 'needs to be responsible and constructive at this time.'
The foreign minister closed by calling on Pakistanis to show 'poise and maturity' at this difficult moment. 'This is not a time for political point-scoring,' he said.
Saturday, 29 Nov, 2008 | 06:35 PM PST
ISLAMABAD: A statement was released by the Pakistani government on Saturday following crisis talks within the cabinet in response to the 'evolving situation' following the 'barbaric act of terrorism' which took place in Mumbai.
The statement, which was delivered by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood
Qureshi declared that the Pakistani governement, following a 'frank, candid' discussion which analysed the situation 'thread-bare', was unanimous in its condemnation of the attacks in Mumbai.
Qureshi stated that the government of Pakistan 'offered its condolences to the government of India and its bereaved families.'
'Pakistan will stand by India in these difficult times,' he said. 'We will combat terrorism in all forms and manifestations,' he continued 'because we are also victims of terrorism.'
Qureshi also stated that terrorism was a 'common threat' and that Pakistan was willing to stand 'shoulder-to-shoulder' with India in combatting terrorism.
Qureshi said that Pakistanis were prepared to offer 'unconditional support and assistance to unearth' who was behind this attack. Qureshi went on to say that the government 'attached the highest importance to friendly and good neighbourly relations with India.'
Pakistan had decided to take on board the entire political leadership of Pakisan with regards to dealing with the current situation. However, Qureshi also pointed out that 'finger-pointing' and 'hasty conclusions' will only serve the terrorists' interests.
Qureshi stated that the government and the people of Pakistan were certain that there was no involvement in the attacks from Pakistan. He also pointed out that there was no evidence implicating Pakistan or Pakistan-based militants in the attacks on Mumbai. 'I faced the Indian media,' Qureshi said. 'The Indian government has not blamed the government of Pakistan, be very clear about it.'
Regarding bilateral assistance, Qureshi stated that the government of India had requested cooperation and the government of Pakistan had decided to extend full support to India diplomatically and defensively. Any intelligence which Pakistan has which might be relevant to the situation will be made available to Indian security forces, Qureshi said.
'Our hands our clean, we have nothing to hide, we have nothing to be ashamed of' Qureshi said. According to the foreign minister, all state institutions were unanimous in their agreement that cooperation would serve the interests of both countries.
'We are a reponsible nation and a responsible neighbour and we are not taking any decisions under pressure,' he said.
However he cautioned that 'we'll have to let the dust settle in order to dispassionately analyse what happened,' in Mumbai.
'It is in Pakistan and India's interest to diffuse the tension.'
Qureshi also discussed talks which he had held with his Indian counterpart Mr Pranab Mukherjee. 'We had decided on various bilateral initiatives and exchanges. At that time nobody knew the attacks had occurred. And despite finding out, I decided to stay on and that was the calm thing to do.'
'The world must know,' he added, 'that we have shades of opinion but when it comes to national dignity and national security, we stand together.'
Qureshi also pointed out that Prime Minister Gilani will be contacting leaders from all of Pakistan's political parties. 'We want to brief and involve all the important political players and face the problem together,' he said, adding that the Prime Minister had already discussed the situation with leaders of the PML-N and PML-Q.
Qureshi also stressed his concern surrounding the diplomatic ramification of the event. 'I could see Pakistan and India warming up to each other and increasing cooperation,' he said. 'My assessment was that we were moving in the right direction... our engagement with India was constructive.'
'Obviously, this kind of event puts pressure on all the stakeholders involved,' Qureshi said. However, the minister also pointed out that the Indian media 'needs to be responsible and constructive at this time.'
The foreign minister closed by calling on Pakistanis to show 'poise and maturity' at this difficult moment. 'This is not a time for political point-scoring,' he said.
