ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday said that extension in term of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa is a clear message for the entire world that the country’s civil and military leadership is on the same page.
Reacting to the three-year extension of the army chief, he said that Prime Minister Imran Khan used his constitutional right keeping in view the situation in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) and Afghanistan.
The foreign minister said that decision to appoint General Qamar Javed Bajwa as Chief of Army Staff for another three years has been taken keeping in mind the security environment in the entire region, including Afghanistan and Indian Occupied Kashmir.
“At this stage we are not completely aware of the entire situation in Occupied Kashmir as there is curfew in the region. When the curfew is lifted, then we will know what exactly happened there,” Qureshi stated.
Qureshi went on to say that real facts emerge when the curfew is lifted in occupied Kashmir, adding that foreign media reported that the people of occupied Kashmir tried to break curfew on Saturday.
The foreign minister said Pakistan will continue to support Kashmiris in their just struggle for right to self-determination, adding that the comments made by the Indian Defence Minister about nuclear policy are reflective of the predicament that India finds itself in, after its illegal and unilateral actions imperiling peace and security in the region and beyond.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has directed for upgrading technical communications system on modern lines in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking during a visit to Communications Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Monday, the Foreign Minister assured all possible cooperation to provide the best resources to the Division.
The Foreign Minister said we have been facing several challenges, and to deal with them, we will have to enhance capacity of our officers.
He said the team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the best team. He said the young officers of the Ministry have been working with full dedication and commitment, and its results are also coming forth.
The Director Communications Division gave a detailed briefing to the Minister about the networking department.
The Foreign Minister also paid a visit to Security Division at the Ministry and expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements. – NNI