Pakistan skips OIC meet as India comes on board, Sushma Swaraj to be Guest of Honour
Pakistan Foreign Minister Mehmood Qureshi has announced in the Parliament that he will not be attending the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meet as India is attending it and Sushma Swaraj has been extended to become the Guest of Honour.
“I will not attend Council of Foreign Ministers as a matter of principle for (them) having extended invitation as a Guest of Honour to Sushma Swaraj,” said Qureshi, in the joint session of Parliament in Pakistan.
India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had landed in Abu Dhabi last night to attend the conference, as soon as Pakistan announced the release of the Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan after his MiG 21 was shot down in an aerial fight against Pakistan’s F16.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi: I will not attend Council of Foreign Ministers as a matter of principle for having extended invitation as a Guest of Honour to Sushma Swaraj. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/eRIiSVkox7
— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019
Qureshi has stated that OIC failed to withdraw the invitation extended to India and hence, Pakistan is skipping the meet.
As the tension between India and Pakistan rises, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also urged, “UN General Secretary and Russia to play a mediation role to de-escalate tensions in South Asia.”
While mentioning about the release of Indian Pilot, Qureshi informed the Parliament, saying, “The Indian Pilot Abhinanadan Varthaman will be released this afternoon via Wagah.”
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First published: 1 March 2019, 12:31 IST