MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said the attack on presidential palace in Kabul on the first day of Eid-ul-Azha is ‘regrettable and condemnable’.

“At this moment I can only say that the incident is regrettable and condemnable. Saying anything else will be premature,” the foreign minister said, adding that an official statement could be issued only after receiving further details of the incident.

He was talking to journalists on Tuesday after offering condolence to the family of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf candidate from PP-222 (Sahiwal-III) constituency, Malik Ghulam Abbas Khakhi, who died of cardiac arrest before taking oath as a member of Punjab Assembly.

Says Pakistan, US need each other in Afghanistan

Mr Qureshi said there was a trust deficit between Pakistan and the US, which had enjoyed a close relationship in the past. “The relationship between both countries remained fluctuating. Both countries are in need of each other. The US needs Pakistan in Afghanistan,” he said, adding that the government would share its views with the US Secretary of State, who was scheduled to visit Pakistan soon.

Talking about the Kashmir issue, the foreign minister said violation of ceasefire at Line of Control (LoC) was not in favour of anyone. “Ceasefire at LoC is the part of Indo-Pak confidence-building measures and it is in the interest of both countries that it remains intact,” he said.

He said that Pakistan was playing its role to resolve the issue of Kashmir and India should also revisit its policy to play a positive role in resolving the issue. “Both countries are facing poverty and water crisis. If we do not come forward, who else will resolve this issue?” he remarked.

Citing the example of European nations, he said that after fighting devastating wars, the people of Europe opted for negotiations and finally even enemy countries opened trade routes for each other and made alliances. “Negotiations are the only way forward for Pakistan and India,” he said.

He said former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu took a daring step by visiting Pakistan to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Imran Khan. “We sent him back with many times more love that he had brought with him,” the minister added.

Mr Qureshi said the people gave their mandate to the PTI in the general election last month. He said the speech of the prime minister was the reflection of their aspirations. However, he added, the challenges were not easy. “There are a lot of challenges and hardship. Economic conditions of the country are not hidden from anyone. I had already expressed challenges in foreign relations during my talk at Foreign Office soon after assuming the office of foreign minister. But we are hopeful that with the prayers and support of the people, we will succeed in making a better, peaceful and strong Pakistan,” he said.