Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that the meeting of Pak-India leadership during the SEO Conference would be an important step towards the development between two countries. The meeting would be between the Prime Ministers of both countries in Shermul Al Shiekh and the date is being finalised. He said this while talking to media men at local airport here on Tuesday morning.
Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Russia is now ready to co-operate with Pakistan and Afghanistan regarding terrorism and extremism. He said that a conference would be held in Tajikistan on July 28 between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Russia to tackle the issue of terrorism and extremism.
FM congratulated the Pakistani Cricket Team to win the T20 World Cup and said that the entire nation feel proud on this success. Talking about the address of President Asif Ali Zardari in NARO HQ, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood said that in the past EU and other countries that demanded "Do More" have unanimously said "What can we do for the better democratic future of Pakistan" which is a positive and pleasant move.
To another question, he said that the apart from other countries EU gave 170 million dollar, USA 330 million dollar and UAE 20 million dollar aid for the IDPs of Swat which is close to the appeal made by UNO ie 545 million dollar required for the rehabilitation of IDPs.
The operation is still continued and there are chances in the shortage of funds, however, more funds would be required for the rehabilitation of affectees. About the shortage of water in rivers, Shah Mehmood said that President Asif Zardari would especially put up this issue in SEO Conference because this issue can create problems for us in future.
Commenting on the political situation of Iran after its general polls, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that there is no need to interfere in their matters. Iran is the friend of Pakistan and we have very friendly relations with it. Foreign Minister termed the change of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani just fake rumours and said that in a situation when we are in a state of war, talking such nonsense is not in the interest of the country.