Reminding the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led coalition government that India had always flouted the security resolutions on Kashmir and had always been hostile towards Pakistan, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Wednesday it was a matter of concern that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had decided to restore trade ties with India.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said it was unfortunate that the prime minister had ordered the appointment of 15 trade officers in Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi.
He also reminded the newly formed government that when the same subject had been raised at the cabinet meeting during the PTI government, the cabinet had rejected the idea.
“This was despite the fact that if resumed, trade between the two countries would have benefited Pakistan,” he said, and added, “You should also keep this thing in mind that India had snatched the special status from Kashmir on August 5, 2019 in blatant violation of the United Nations’ resolutions.
“Even today, the staff strength in our high commission in New Delhi is half,” he said, and expressed the surprise that very party, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which owed its existence to the Kashmir issue, was not silent on the development.
Bilawal Bhutto is also silent on this decision. Have you [Bilawal] consulted the Azad Kashmir government on this decision? You have hurt the feelings of the oppressed people in Kashmir and the government should reconsider this decision.
Azad Kashmir and Occupied Kashmir will also react to your decision. If India had reduced oppression in Kashmir, then there is another matter.
