Islamabad, September 12, 2020 (PPI-OT):Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged the ASEAN Regional Forum members to raise voice against the rise of Islamophobia and extremist tendencies in the region and around the globe. He made the remarks whilst participating in the 27th ASEAN regional Forum held online today (Saturday).
Emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to inter-faith harmony, the Foreign Minister said Pakistan took the milestone step of opening the Kartarpur Corridor last year to facilitate Sikh pilgrims from India and elsewhere. Shah Mahmood Qureshi condemned moves by states to alter the demographics of disputed territories under their illegal occupation and stressed the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes according to relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The Foreign Minister underscored that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was central to regional peace. Highlighting Pakistan’s positive contributions, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. He underlined the importance of an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement through Intra-Afghan Negotiations.
The Foreign Minister called for a concerted international effort to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and to develop a vaccine that is accessible to all. He also highlighted Prime Minister Imran Khan’s “Global Initiative on Debt Relief” for the developing countries to help create enhanced fiscal capacity to tackle the negative economic consequences of the pandemic.
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