In the backdrop of heightened tension between the United States and Iran, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday said that Pakistan would not allow its soil to be used against any other country and maintains cordial relations with all the countries "barring the one on the eastern side," in an obvious reference to India.
Briefing the Senate on Pakistan's policy in the context of ongoing tension between the US and Iran following the recent killing of top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike, the foreign minister said Pakistan is not a party to the conflict and is ready to play its role for the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
"This is a very serious development. If the tension escalates, things would head to a disaster. The fallout of this conflict on this region would be enormous, which would also have adverse impact on us, something we cannot afford. War does not benefit anyone. If things get to that point, this would trigger an oil crisis not only in the Middle East but in the rest of the world that would be extremely harmful for our economic stability."
The foreign minister said tension between the two sides needs to be defused to avoid any mega crisis. "We are neither part of any bloc nor are we supporting or opposing anyone. Pakistan is not taking sides. No one would be allowed to harm any country using Pakistan's soil. We enjoy a positive relationship with each state. Barring one on the Eastern side, we have cordial relations with all the countries and are ready to play our role for the resolution of disputes for peace and stability in the Middle East."
In the aftermath of the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East with the killing of the Iranian general, it is feared that India can take advantage of the situation and launch a false flag operation on the eastern border, Qureshi said. "The madness the religious extremist regime in India has shown in the form of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) that has stoked fire across India. Not less than 11 states in India are in total chaos due to anger and hatred among masses triggered by CAA. Narendra Modi's Hindutva inspired government is unnerved, and in a bid to shift focus from internal turmoil, there is quite a possibility that India may resort to misadventure on the eastern border."
In addition, Qureshi said Iraq and Syria would see further instability due to the Middle East conflict. "The situation would also worsen in Yemen where the Houthis have posed a major challenge. There is also fear that Hezbollah can target Israel, a possible development that potentially entails serious ramifications. If resolution to this tension through peaceful means is not reached, not only this region but different parts across the globe would be plunged into war and chaos."
Moreover, he said, the Middle East crisis would further increase the division within OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference). "Unfortunately, the OIC traditionally lacked unity and cohesion in its approach on different issues. There were already serious differences between the member states. We fear that this gulf would be widened after the Middle East conflict has been intensified."
This, he said, is a serious setback to Pakistan's efforts to forge unity within the OIC. "We were actively engaged in forging unity between the OIC member states and were reaching out to stakeholders. We were very hopeful of positive developments on this front before this fresh episode of violence in Middle East changed the things altogether."
Sharing his views on the floor of the house, Leader of the Opposition in Senate Raja Zafar-ul-Haq said Pakistan needs to play an active role for regional peace. "The killing of an Iranian general on a foreign soil by the US is not a small issue. The entire Iran is in a state of shock, anger, anguish and mourning. Hundreds of thousands of people in Iran joined the procession of the funeral of General Qassem Soleimani. In such a situation, our stance that we are neutral and not taking sides is not enough. We have to play an active role to avert any crisis in the Middle East and for lasting stability in the region. Otherwise, the impact of this conflict would be very serious which would also put us at the suffering end. At the time when the Middle East is burning, we cannot simply stay detached."
Haq severely criticised the role of United Nations and OIC. "The UN's total failure in resolving the Kashmir issue is not hidden from us. And the OIC's traditional apathy is also well known. The OIC remained totally silent during the Iran-Iraq war. Had these organisations played their role to resolve conflicts between the states, things would have been different today, and the world would have been much safer and peaceful than it is at present."
Speaking in the National Assembly Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan would not become part of any regional conflict.
Giving a policy statement in the National Assembly, the foreign minister maintained that Pakistan would not allow its soil to be used against any neighboring country. "We will not be part of any conflict but are ready to take every effort for peace in the region," Qureshi said.
Qureshi informed the House that it was the assessment of the Foreign Office that the situation would further create instability in the Middle East's war-torn countries and would also lead to high-profile assassinations in the region.
The minister observed that the incident would have far-reaching effects in the region and beyond and could also jeopardize the Afghanistan's peace process.
About Pakistan's role in the present situation, the foreign minister said Pakistan wants a respectable and dignified way out while keeping in the view national interests. "Instability is not in our interests, we are against use of force and unilateral actions and believe in diplomatic engagement and de-escalation," he said, adding that all the issues should be resolved as per international laws.
He said that Pakistan has also asked the United Nations to play its role towards de-escalation, saying the situation is still fluid and it could not be said as to what would happen the next day. "The senior officials are consistently monitoring the situation," he said and maintained that Pakistan would give priority to its interests.
He also told the House that soon after attack on Qassem Soleimani, he talked to leaders of Muslim countries. He said he made first telephone call to the Iranian foreign minister and conveyed to him his concerns and emotions of Pakistani people.
He said that Pakistan has also approached the United Nations, calling upon the forum to play its due role to de-escalate tension arising out of the January 3 action.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said neither the government has compromised the country's sovereignty nor would it do so in future.
Earlier, the PML-N Parliamentary Leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Pakistan should take a bold stand in current situation and should not be blackmailed by any other country.
Observing that the killing of the Iranian general was a big tragedy, the PML-N leader asked as to why the Pakistan government was afraid of calling Qassem Sulemani as 'Shaheed [martyr].
He pointed out that the situation emerging out of the US attack also raises alarm for Pakistan and warned the government that the country may also not remain protected from flames of fire.
He also advised the government not to lose friends at the expense of relations with other countries, adding that Pakistan's foreign policy should be based on relations with regional countries.
Khawaja Asif said the opposition parties have no objections on relations with the United States but these should be characterized by delicate balance in relations without compromising on national interests and sovereignty.
He reminded the PTI government that Pakistan has been enjoying historical, religious, cultural and brotherly relations with Iran while the United States is trying to become international policeman.
He also said that the future of CPEC has also become uncertain ever since the incumbent government assumed power.
Former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf along with party colleagues and PML-N parliamentarians walked out of the House as the foreign minister left the House without hearing his speech.
The foreign minister, however, said he had to call international leadership on the situation and that was why he was leaving.
Raja Pervez Ashraf of PPP said if someone comes to the house for a policy statement, he should keep his statement precise and brief and listen to the views of others.
"We could not get anything from the speech of the foreign minister, as he kept talking for about two hours instead of focusing on important issues of Kashmir and Iran, which is an insult to this House," he said after FM Qureshi left the house.
After thrashing two journalists within a short span of one-and-a-half-year after coming into power, Minister for Information Technology Fawad Chaudhry proposed to form a committee to grill those involved in 'character assassination' of politicians.
Speaking in the National Assembly, he said he gave the journalist of a private TV channel a slap after he alleged that a controversial TikTok star Hareem Shah has got the video tapes of him as well.
Referring to the claim made by the TV anchor, he said that he failed to prove the allegations which compelled him to thrash him at a wedding ceremony. He demanded that all those making false claims about the politicians should be investigated.
This prompted Khawaja Asif, former defense minister in PML-N government, to say that the Chaudhry is reaping what he had sown.
"All the differences apart, I would like to second him that all those making false claims about everyone - whether politician or anyone else - should be made accountable," he said.
Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul said cyber wing of the Federal Investigation Agency should probe the character assassination campaign by some of the media people on their YouTube channels for the sake of ratings and likes.
The National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning any sort of blasphemous contents by international and private organizations.
The motion moved by Minister for Housing and Works Tariq Bashir Cheema called for immediate banning of import and publication of blasphemous contents.
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