ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday has said Pakistan will neither allow its soil to be used against any country nor will it become part of any regional conflict.
Giving a policy statement over the evolving situation in Middle East in the Upper House, the foreign minister said Pakistan can play a role in reconciliation, peace and stability, but will not augment war in the region.
“Our policy is not to add fuel to the fire, neither will we become a part of it,” said the foreign minister, adding that Pakistan will not become a part of the ongoing US-Iran crisis. “If there is a fire then even we cannot escape its far-reaching effects,” he added.
The foreign minister said he has talked to his regional counterparts, including Iran and emphasised on exercising utmost restraint to avoid any conflict in the region as a new war may have disastrous impact on regional countries. He said Pakistan does not support any unilateral action as use of force cannot offer any solution to an issue.
Expressing apprehensions on the implications on recent incident of the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in a US airstrike in Iraq. Qureshi said this may lead the region to further instability, especially chances of increased destability in Iraq and Syria.
He said this may also negatively impact peace process in Afghanistan as well as prompt Houthi rebels in Yemen to intensify their attacks on Saudi Arabia while Hezbollah can target Israel with rocket attacks.
The foreign minister said growing tension in the region can also be used by India toward world attention from grave human rights in Occupied Kashmir and ongoing protest demonstration across the country against Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens.
He urged the international community, the United Nations, and other world bodies to play their due role in averting any conflict in the region.
Earlier today, the foreign minister called for “active diplomacy” to de-escalate ongoing tensions and avoiding any further violence. Qureshi clarified that Pakistan “stands for peace, stability and security in the region”, adding that he has reiterated Pakistan’s message to all stakeholders in his recent conversations.
“Pakistan is very clear on its position: we stand for peace, stability & security in region. I’ve reiterated this to all stakeholders in my recent conversations.
“Active diplomacy to de-escalate tensions is the need of the hour. Violence must be avoided. We’ll continue with efforts,” he said in a statement on micro-blogging site Twitter.
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