MULTAN: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi Saturday said the government was taking some more administrative and legislative steps which would surely help the country extricate itself from grey list of Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Addressing a press conference here at Circuit House, the foreign minister stated that India was trying to push Pakistan into blacklist of FATF. In case, the country was put into blacklist, then it would have disastrous effects on country's economy, said Qureshi.
He, however, added the government constituted a special committee led by him and comprised 24 members from all major political parties including PTI, its allied parities, PML-N, PPP, JUI (F) and others to do some important legislation in that regard.
"We are trying to get off from the grey list and enter into white list of FATF," stated Qureshi and added the government was doing legislation on eight bills through consultations with all political parties. "We are taking the opposition into confidence as it is matter of national interest," the FM remarked.
"Pakistan will present its report about different steps in upcoming meeting of Asia Pacific Group, scheduled to be held in January," stated Qureshi.
The foreign minister added that PML N and PPP had reservations on National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws. Both the political parties could not make any amendment in NAB law during their regimes.
"The PTI government wanted to move forward while addressing Opposition's genuine complaints," he said and mentioned that a bill about NAB laws was also part of consultation process with the opposition.
"We all have to make joint efforts for elimination of corruption," he stated and added the government did not use the institution for witch-hunting.
Qureshi informed that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President-Elect will visit Pakistan and the grave situation in India Occupied Jammu and Kashmir would be presented before the UNGA President-Elect.
The foreign minister said India was also committing ceasefire violations at line of control.
He remarked that Pakistan would continue to fight case of innocent Kashmiris at all forums.
The government had recently conducted a session which was participated by Chairman Kashmir Committee, Azad Kashmir Prime Minister and some other leaders. The President and Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir expressed their confidence in strategy adopted by the incumbent government for innocent people of Jammu and Kashmir, the FM stated.
He also heaped praise on Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar for creating of 'South Punjab' civil secretariat. Some elements were trying to create confusion and division people of the region about 'South Punjab Secretariat's site, he said.
The foreign minister said the creation of 'South Punjab' province was a part of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf manifesto.
Responding to a question about capital of the province, Qureshi clarified that the assembly of the new province would decide about its capital.
"Although, it will take time for creation of South Punjab province, the PTI government have initiated practical steps in this regard. In future, nobody would dare to reverse these steps," maintained Qureshi.
He criticised Pakistan People Party (PPP) for creating "hurdles" to establishing 'South Punjab' province.
He said that they wanted separate Public Service Commission and Annual Development Programme for the southern Punjab.
The foreign minister also lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan's strategy of smart lockdown against COVID-19.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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