The first visit to Pakistan by a senior Indian diplomat in nearly a decade was termed an “ice breaker” by the information minister on Wednesday, coinciding with the gathering of regional leaders for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
“Neither side requested a bilateral meeting, but I believe his presence here serves as an ice breaker,” said Information Minister Attaullah Tarar during the summit in Islamabad. He noted that the positive interactions, including handshakes between leaders, projected a favorable image globally.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif exchanged a handshake with serious expressions at an official dinner for the SCO leaders on Tuesday.
India-Pakistan relations have been strained since 2019, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to revoke the limited autonomy of Indian-administered Kashmir. While this move was celebrated in India, it led Pakistan to suspend bilateral trade and lower diplomatic ties with New Delhi.
Leaders from SCO member states, including China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, attended the summit, which was held under tight security in the Pakistani capital.
Our reporter Nuzhat Nazar noted that the successful conclusion of the SCO summit marked a significant achievement for Pakistan on the global stage. Minister Tarar emphasized that the summit has notably enhanced Pakistan’s international standing, with distinguished guests appreciating the country’s key regional role and the quality of event arrangements.
He acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Information, and other institutions in ensuring the summit’s success, marking it as the first major international event in Pakistan in 27 years, which bolstered the country’s global reputation.
Tarar highlighted the importance of bilateral meetings during the summit, which focused on enhancing trade and investment with various nations. He stated that Pakistan’s economic indicators are improving, with positive developments expected in the near future, attributing this to the prime minister’s vision.
Additionally, Tarar addressed the elections for the Chancellor of Oxford University, noting that Imran Khan was not included among the candidates. He asserted that in civilized societies, respect for the rule of law is paramount, and individuals facing legal issues should not participate in such processes.
He criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party for issuing threats regarding constitutional amendments, emphasizing that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands. He condemned PTI’s actions on May 9, including attacks on martyrs’ memorials, asserting that the state would respond decisively to those inciting violence or threatening public safety. He reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and supporting Pakistan’s development, declaring that no political party is above the nation.
