News Analysis |
Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while talking at the press conference held at Pakistan’s Embassy in Washington, said that he has made Americans believe that there is absolutely no way out of Afghanistan without Pakistan. He termed it the success of his tour while responding to a question. He further stated that the relations between Pakistan and the United States of America should not only be seen via Afghanistan prism.
Both countries have a long-standing history and there are multiple avenues which need the cooperation of both sides. Speaking at US Institute of Peace in Washington last night, Foreign Minister of Pakistan gave a detailed account of how the relations between both the countries led to successes in the past during cold war and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
The crux of his tour was his speech at UNGA which was all-embracing and eloquent; presenting Pakistan’s stance in the national language.
He admitted that the relations have not been up to the mark in recent times, primarily because of the divergent objectives of both sides, but a continuation of efforts to bring the bilateral relations to a good state is the key. Throughout the U.S tour, Shah Mahmood Qureshi has effectively put forward Pakistan’s stance.
While the west keeps on with the narrative of safe havens for Haqqani Network in Pakistan, Mr. Qureshi categorically mentioned about the safe havens of terrorists in Afghanistan under the U.S watch which have been used as the base camp for terrorism in Pakistan. He reiterated that fact that it is now an across the board understanding of all the stakeholder that military solution to Afghanistan turmoil is not an answer.
Read more: FM at the UNGA: Shah Mahmood has a busy day ahead…
He urged the world to find a peaceful solution toward the sustainable peace of Afghanistan which will ensure the regional stability of South East Asia. There was a balance in the way he presented Pakistan’s account of the reservation has and the desire for the continuation of good relations with the rest of the world.
It is obvious that in a world order dominated by the United States of America by virtue of its military and economic hegemony, Pakistan cannot afford to remain in the isolation and cut off the relations completely. And due to the strategic geo-positioning of Pakistan, the same is true for America as well. Hence both sides need to find common grounds which the Foreign Minister of Pakistan repeatedly stressed upon during the entire tour.
It is not quite empirical to gauge the extent of success when it comes to diplomatic tours, unlike ones economic or defense pacts are signed.
During his tour, he gave interviews to several news outlets in which he talked about the way Pakistan wants to engage with India. At the time when Indian side was bombarding the press with the statements of war against Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi was talking sense to the international press that for two nuclear states, war should never be an option.
It was the need of the hour since at a forum like UNGA, where leaders of all the countries are present, levelheaded statements like these depict a positive image of a country and the incumbent government. The crux of his tour was his speech at UNGA which was all-embracing and eloquent; presenting Pakistan’s stance in the national language.
Read more: Foreign Minister arrives in New York for United Nations General Assembly…
It was a combination of recalling to the world Pakistan’s commitment toward the United Nations as an institution, Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terror sponsored by India and finally the concern over the dismal state of human rights in the Middle East and other regions.
It is not quite empirical to gauge the extent of success when it comes to diplomatic tours, unlike ones economic or defense pacts are signed. As of the face value, Shah Mahmood Qureshi was honest, straight and articulately presented Pakistan point of view which could be ranked as impressive, to say the least.