Aug 23, 2021: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday criticized the Indian media for reporting false news about his arrival in Kabul.

In a statement, the foreign minister called the Indian media’s fuss over his absentee visit to Kabul “irresponsible”. “They should check their sources before reporting the news,” Qureshi said. “It’s bad for my reputation,” he added.

According to Qureshi, he did not go to Kabul as reported by Indian media on Sunday. “However, I had several important meetings in Islamabad on the Afghan issue,” Shah Mahmood added.

Talking about the current situation in Afghanistan, the Foreign Minister said that all regional countries want peace in Kabul, although there are “spoilers” in Afghanistan who still want to sabotage peace efforts.

He further said that India would not serve the region if it persisted in humiliating Pakistan. He added that India has been claiming good relations with Afghanistan and Pakistan has no problem with Kabul-New Delhi relations.

Pakistan has no objection to India’s “good relations” with Afghanistan, but New Delhi will have to abandon its “myopic approach” for the sake of regional peace.

Shah Mahmood added that he had spoken to European Commission Vice President Joseph Borrell on Sunday to brief him on Pakistan’s assistance in evacuating diplomatic staff, foreign nationals and journalists from Kabul.

“Afghanistan’s neighbors and other regional countries want peace and stability in the war-torn country,” he said. Talking about Pakistan’s efforts to formulate a joint strategy, the minister said: “I will go to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran and consult with the leadership there on the Afghan issue.”

Referring to China’s role in the Afghan peace process, Shah Mahmood said, “We have already discussed the Afghan issue with China.”

Talking about the future government in Kabul, Shah Mahmood said Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic country and should have a broad-based and comprehensive government.

“Our focus is not on one group,” Qureshi said, referring to the Taliban.

Shah Mahmood further said that Pakistan was working for development and peace in Afghanistan by creating a conducive environment. He called on the international community to restore relations with Afghanistan after the Taliban took over, saying the Afghan people should be given the impression that the world has not forgotten them.

“Pakistan will help Afghans who want to go abroad,” he said.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi appealed not to spread chaos at Kabul airport. Afghanistan needs educated people for development, he added, adding that for a prosperous Afghanistan, protection of life and respect for fundamental rights are essential.

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