ISLAMABAD, APR 11 (DNA) – Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement in which he reportedly said he saw a better chance of peace talks with India if Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party wins the general elections was taken out of context.

This was stated by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi during a meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Thursday. He was responding to questions put to him by members of the panel.

“I am familiar with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s standpoint about Modi,” he said, adding the premier’s statements about Modi’s past were on record. He said PM Khan’s  statements referring to the Indian prime minister’s links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) – a terrorist organisation – were also available.

“You are saying Imran Khan is not Modi’s friend,” asked Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, who chaired the meeting. “We are neither anybody’s friend nor helper,” replied FM Qureshi.

Some media reports had quoted the prime minister as saying, “Perhaps if the BJP – a right-wing party – wins, some kind of settlement in Kashmir could be reached.”

The foreign minister further said it was for the people of India to decide who will win the general elections there.

Senator Sitara Ayaz, however, suggested a clarification should have come from the PM Office in this regard.

Taking exception to the prime minister’s statement, senator Sherry Rehman said the purpose of his statement was beyond her comprehension.

She said the Indian prime minister was involved in the killings of Kashmiris over the past five years and the entire world called him Gujrat’s killer.

“You say that India may attack Pakistan while your prime minister says the situation will get better if Modi wins elections,” she said addressing the foreign minister. = DNA

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Minority youth delegation of KP visits ICCI

ISLAMABAD, APR 11 (DNA) – A large delegation of minority youth of KP led by Auqaf, Hajj, Religious & Minority Affairs Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry for an interaction with the local business community.

Male and female students from Intermediate to M.Phil. level of various faiths including Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Bhai Community and Kalash Community were in the delegation.

Speaking at the occasion, the representative of Auqaf, Hajj, Religious & Minority Affairs Department of KP said that KP Government has taken an initiative “Minority Youth Exposure Program (MYEP) 2018-19” under an ADP Scheme for the empowerment, exposure and development of minority youth that will help them to build their confidence and enhance their soft skills through various opportunities and platforms.

This project included visit of minority youth delegations to various provinces including Islamabad, AJK, Punjab and Sindh. He said under MYEP, minority youth will visit various renowned places related to education, health, history, archaeology, entertainment, business and will also meet with renowned personalities including government offices, policymakers, civil society experts, social & women activities, diplomats, business tycoons, trainers, public speakers and journalists etc. He said the current visit of minority youth delegation of KP to ICCI was a part of MYEP. He thanked ICCI for hosting the minority youth delegation and hoped that its interaction with business community would be very beneficial for them.

Addressing the delegation, Ahmed Hassan Moughal, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that minorities were playing important role in the economic development of Pakistan that was laudable. He said Pakistan was emerging as a big consumers’ market and youth including minority youth has great potential to carve its future in entrepreneurship.

He said by becoming entrepreneurs, they would not only achieve a prosperous career, they would also create jobs for others and contribute towards reducing poverty and unemployment from the country. He said ICCI has formed a Minority Affairs Committee led by Ch. Ashraf Farzand that was working for resolving the key issues of minority community traders and industrialists.

Tahir Abbasi and Sheikh Muhammad Ilyas Executive Members ICCI, Ch. Ashraf Farzand Chairman ICCI Minority Affairs Committee and others also spoke at the occasion and shared their business experiences with the youth delegation. They also encouraged minority youth towards entrepreneurship that offered them great potential for prosperous future. = DNA

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