India's 'dream' of isolating Pakistan will never be fulfilled: Qureshi
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said yesterday that India's "dream" of isolating Pakistan will never be fulfilled, amid simmering tensions between the two countries following the Pulwama terror attack. 40 CRPF personnel were killed on February 14 when a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their bus in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Here's more.
Number of foreign dignitaries scheduled to visit Pakistan soon: Qureshi
Addressing a conference on Kashmir in Islamabad, Qureshi said a number of foreign dignitaries are scheduled to visit Pakistan in near future. Malaysian PM Mahathir Muhammad will be the chief guest on Pakistan Day Parade on March 23, he said. Qureshi said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will pay a visit on March 12 and the EU High Representative will also visit Islamabad soon.
India launched major diplomatic offensive against Islamabad after Pulwama attack
Qureshi said India's "dream" of isolating Pakistan will never be fulfilled. India launched a major diplomatic offensive against Islamabad after the Pulwama attack and highlighted Pakistan's role in using terrorism as an instrument of state-policy. The international community led by the US pressed Pakistan to deny safe haven to terror groups operating from its soil and bring the perpetrators of Pulwama attack to justice.
'India behaved in same manner as it did after Mumbai-attacks'
Qureshi said Pakistan was not in favor of any conflict with India. Talking about the heightened tensions after the Pulwama attack, he said India's response was predictable. "It behaved in the same manner as it did after Mumbai attacks (November 2008 attacks)," he said.
Action being taken against extremists under National Action Plan: Qureshi
Pakistan's PM Imran Khan offered help in probe the suicide attack and also announced that Pakistan would not allow its soil to be used against any country, said Qureshi. He said Khan has made it clear that Islamabad would retaliate to any action by New Delhi. Qureshi further said that action was being taken against extremists in the light of National Action Plan.
India hiked the customs duty by 200% on Pakistani goods
The National Action Plan is a 20-point agenda to eliminate militancy. India has asked Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control. New Delhi also announced the withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status for Pakistan. As a result, India hiked the customs duty by 200% on goods originating from Pakistan.
