Qureshi defends KL bill in parliament

October 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a bid to soothe ruffled feathers in Pakistan over anti-terror strings attached to the $7.5 billion aid package, US lawmakers have provided a written explanation to Islamabad about the offending provisions, saying there was no intention to "micromanage internal Pakistani affairs". Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman were joined by Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi as they spoke to reporters Wednesday about their response to Pakistani protests about US meddling in its affairs.

October 12th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has dashed down to the United States for an emergency visit to convey Islamabad's objections over the 'stern' clauses attached in the Kerry Lugar Bill. "It is an unscheduled visit during which the foreign minister will definitely discuss the bill," sources privy to the Foreign Office said.

October 9th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that a high level meeting would soon be convened to discuss the controversial Kerry Lugar Bill and its implications. The participant of the meeting would include President Asif Ali Zardari, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi apart from Gilani himself.

October 8th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that the country's security forces are capable enough of carrying out an operation against extremists in tribal areas and that it does not need the help of US troops for that purpose. "No, we don't need that...

October 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Terming the Kerry-Lugar Bill a 'milestone' in Pak-US bilateral relations, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has asked all critics of the 1.5 billion dollar annual assistance package to first read the Bill. Addressing a joint press conference with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Washington, Clinton said the focus of the Kerry Lugar Bill would be to improve education, health and other basic amenities in the troubled nation.

October 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that he received 'positive vibes' during his meeting with Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna last month.

October 7th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - US may know the whereabouts of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Wednesday. Talking to newspersons in Washington, Qureshi said US troops equipped with state of the art technology and weapons were present in the region.

October 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has asked India to explain its large scale presence in Afghanistan even though it does not share a border with the war ravaged country. "They have to justify their interest.

September 29th, 2009 NEW YORK - Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that an international probe should be conducted to investigate the recent encounters by the Indian security forces in Kashmir. Interacting with media persons in New York, Qureshi said the recent incidents in Kashmir indicated the struggle of the people of that region.

September 17th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Islamabad is in regular touch with New Delhi on all outstanding issues including the water dispute between both the countries. Interacting with media persons before departing for New York to take part in the United Nations General Council Meeting, Qureshi said that back channel diplomacy with India can not be ignored and added that it would be started once again.

July 26th, 2009 LONDON - Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that his country is not providing any terror safe havens to terror groups. Qureshi said Islamabad does not want the country's soil to be used for carrying out nefarious activities against any other nation.

July 3rd, 2009 LONDON - Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that the Taliban are 'on the run' in the country, as the government has launched a series of military operations against them and other militant organisations. "For the first time they are on the run.

June 11th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has admitted that speculations about involvement of Indian Intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in terrorism inside Pakistan were only random inferences. Talking to media persons at the Multan airport, Qureshi said there are several 'hidden forces' behind the persistent pandemonium in Pakistan.

June 3rd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has said that it would not shift its forces from the Indian border to the western border along Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that it is impossible for Islamabad to reduce the number of troops from the Indian border, and the international community especially the western countries are aware of the fact.

May 13th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that India has no connection with the Pak-Afghanistan transit trade pact. Commenting on Pak-Afghan trade pact, the Foreign Minister clarified that India has no connection with the agreement.