ID :
162437
Sun, 02/20/2011 - 10:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/162437
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Pakistan’s ex-FM asks US to end double standard
Islamabad, Feb 20, IRNA -- Pakistan’s former Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Saturday asked the United States to put an end to what he called double standard towards Pakistan and adopt a fair policy while dealing with its ally.
A week after he refused to join the new cabinet after the ruling Pakistan People's Party decided not to reallocate him the foreign affairs portfolio, Qureshi also criticized the U.S. for its 'threats of suspending talks with Pakistan and halting its aid'.
Qureshi was cheered by thousands of his supporters when he arrived in his home town of Multan in Punjab for the first time since he has declined to become member of the cabinet.
He again said that a U.S. employee, who has killed two Pakistanis, does not enjoy 'blanket immunity' as wanted by the Americans, adding that he had been told at a briefing in the Foreign Office on January 31 that it would not be possible to grant blanket immunity to Raymond Davis.
Pakistani media say that Qureshi was not given the portfolio of Foreign Affairs in the new cabinet as he had opposed diplomatic immunity to the American man.
“Pakistanis have sacrificed many lives and now the Americans are threatening us with talks and aid suspension,” Qureshi said.
“Should we compromise on Pakistan’s sovereignty and dignity for American aid,” he asked the people and the crowd replied ‘NO’. He said he has not committed any crime by opposing diplomatic immunity to the U.S. man, who is facing trial in double murder charges.
“We should stand on our feet,” the former Pakistani Foreign Minister said, adding that only one incident should not hit the long-term Pakistan-U.S. relations.
Qureshi told a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday that he was asked by the PPP's leadership to 'keep quiet' and issue no statements on the Davis case.
The issue has caused a serious diplomatic row between the two allies and even President Barack Obama said that the U.S. shooter enjoys diplomatic immunity and must be released.
The Pakistani leadership' has rejected the repeated US demands to free Davis on the ground that he has diplomatic immunity and insist that the court decide his diplomatic status.
A U.S. congressional delegation Saturday met President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani and called for Davis release.
“The Prime Minister welcomed the positive messaging emanating from both sides since last week and emphasized that these should continue and go beyond Raymond Davis incident in order to build upon the strategic partnership as well as the trust and confidence between the two countries,” a statement from the PM office said./end
A week after he refused to join the new cabinet after the ruling Pakistan People's Party decided not to reallocate him the foreign affairs portfolio, Qureshi also criticized the U.S. for its 'threats of suspending talks with Pakistan and halting its aid'.
Qureshi was cheered by thousands of his supporters when he arrived in his home town of Multan in Punjab for the first time since he has declined to become member of the cabinet.
He again said that a U.S. employee, who has killed two Pakistanis, does not enjoy 'blanket immunity' as wanted by the Americans, adding that he had been told at a briefing in the Foreign Office on January 31 that it would not be possible to grant blanket immunity to Raymond Davis.
Pakistani media say that Qureshi was not given the portfolio of Foreign Affairs in the new cabinet as he had opposed diplomatic immunity to the American man.
“Pakistanis have sacrificed many lives and now the Americans are threatening us with talks and aid suspension,” Qureshi said.
“Should we compromise on Pakistan’s sovereignty and dignity for American aid,” he asked the people and the crowd replied ‘NO’. He said he has not committed any crime by opposing diplomatic immunity to the U.S. man, who is facing trial in double murder charges.
“We should stand on our feet,” the former Pakistani Foreign Minister said, adding that only one incident should not hit the long-term Pakistan-U.S. relations.
Qureshi told a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday that he was asked by the PPP's leadership to 'keep quiet' and issue no statements on the Davis case.
The issue has caused a serious diplomatic row between the two allies and even President Barack Obama said that the U.S. shooter enjoys diplomatic immunity and must be released.
The Pakistani leadership' has rejected the repeated US demands to free Davis on the ground that he has diplomatic immunity and insist that the court decide his diplomatic status.
A U.S. congressional delegation Saturday met President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani and called for Davis release.
“The Prime Minister welcomed the positive messaging emanating from both sides since last week and emphasized that these should continue and go beyond Raymond Davis incident in order to build upon the strategic partnership as well as the trust and confidence between the two countries,” a statement from the PM office said./end
