MULTAN – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday allegedly said that PML-N is pressurizing Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to withdraw the name of Aitzaz Ahsan as party’s presidential candidate.
Qureshi, while speaking to the media after offering Eid prayer in Multan, said that the PPP has maintained its ideological position in nominating Aitzaz for the presidency and if the PPP does so, that will be the end of their ideology based politics.
The foreign minister maintained that PTI’s candidate for presidential elections is Arif Alvi, stressing that since Alvi has a middle-class background, he is ideal for this position.
‘Dr Aafia case’
To a question about Dr Aafia Siddique, he said that PTI’s government will make all possible efforts to bring Aafia Siddique back to Pakistan.
He said that he realizes that Aafia’s family is grief-stricken and there are multiple legalities that cannot bypass but that our government will make all efforts to retrieve Aafia Siddique.
Qureshi also said that their government is seeking to better relations with India and will make an active effort to resolve the Kashmir dispute.
About the overseas Pakistanis voting for the first time in the upcoming by-elections, the foreign minister said he is happy that it is finally happening.
‘Water crisis’
While replying to another query about the ongoing water crisis, Qureshi blamed a series of mishaps for the problem. “The mishaps have resulted in the water issue becoming a huge crisis,” he said, pointing out that the previous governments had not focused on the water crisis.
He added that he backs the construction of Bhasha Dam and that Prime Minister Imran Khan has designated its construction as a top priority.
Referring to the PPP, Qureshi said their government was in power for five years and if they wanted they could have made the South Punjab province. “Our government needs support from National Assembly and Senate for the South Punjab province,” he said.
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