ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that dialogue is the only way forward, and Pakistan has never shied of dialogue with India.
While addressing a Join Press Conference along with the German Counterpart Heiko Maas in Islamabad on Tuesday, Qureshi said that solution of lingering Kashmir dispute through dialogue is imperative for peace and stability in the region.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that if there are atrocities in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), there will be a reaction. He said that there is now increasing demand within India for engagement and dialogue with the Kashmiri leadership.
Great to have #German Foreign minister @HeikoMaas on a visit to #Pakistan. Constructive meetings on important topics with @SMQureshiPTI & @ImranKhanPTI. Will keep you all posted. pic.twitter.com/sRmPmnIYzN
— Martin Kobler مارٹن کوبلر (@KoblerinPAK) March 12, 2019
The German foreign minister expressed concern over the recent tension between Pakistan and India, and also urged the two Countries to resolve their issues including the Kashmir dispute through negotiations.
Heiko Maas appreciated the speedy release of the Indian pilot and Prime Minister Imran Khan’s offer of dialogue to India, saying that these steps helped de-escalate the tension between the two Countries.
Talking about Pakistan’s initiatives in war against terror, Shah Mahmood Qureshi pointed out that Pakistan has taken a lot of steps to eliminate this menace.
The foreign minister said that terrorism is a regional and global challenge, and the present government is taking steps to implement the consensus National Action Plan (NAP) on terrorism in letter and spirit.
The German foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for elimination of terrorism. He particularly lauded Islamabad’s role in restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Referring to the potential of economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Germany, Qureshi said that two well renowned German Companies have expressed interest for investment in Pakistan. He expressed the confidence that this will encourage others to come and invest in Pakistan.
“We welcome foreign investment in the Country,” he remarked.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi told media that he also discussed with his German Counterpart the idea of establishing a joint foreign trade chamber, saying that this will be a very positive step towards enhancing bilateral economic and trade relations between the two Countries.
Heiko Maas also said that Germany has good relations with Pakistan, and it wants to promote cooperation with the Country in trade and other sectors.
Earlier the two foreign ministers held delegation level talks in Islamabad, in which they discussed matters pertaining to bilateral relations, regional situation and efforts for peace in Afghanistan.
The two sides also discussed matters pertaining to the German visa facilitation for Pakistani students of higher education. They also discussed the idea of ‘partnership schools’ in order to partner in the field of education.
