ISLAMABAD:
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari rejected the inclusion of the US on the list. of his country as a state of “special concern” over religious freedoms, wondering why India avoided list.
In November, Washington grouped Pakistan together with 11 other countries, including China, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and North Korea, as states that “engaged in or committed particularly gross violations of religious freedom”.
“It does seem to be a slightly biased and politicized listBilawal Zardari said in an interview with Channel News Asia. in interview during his official visit to Singapore posted on in news website on Wednesday.
“Otherwise I wonder why India does not on in list when his human rights, especially freedom of religion for their Muslim minority, was the source of concern at the international level,” he said.
“Another ally of United States in The Middle East… that perpetuates restrictions against [its] Muslim minority [and] Palestine” also did not listFM Bilawal addedmeaning Israel.
However, he acknowledged Pakistan’s longstanding problems. with religious extremism and violence and promised the government’s commitment to addressing them.
“[We] not need America to point out in problems what we in Pakistan face with religious extremism, with terrorism. it cause it is dear to my heart,” he said.
Bilawal said, “We are absolutely aware of in challenges we face. And we are serious facing those challenges. Not because the United States or anyone else said so. [said so]. It’s because we think it’s important for in future of our country.”
Regarding India, he criticized her “fascism”, saying that in the country changed for worse.
“The India that I raised up with … it was the largest democracy in in world. It was a secular country home to all its citizens – Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists. Unfortunately, the India I see today is not the India I see growing. up,” he said.
“This is an increasingly fascist India. It’s hostile to Muslims outside its borders and within its borders, it is hostile to Christians within its borders. added.
On the issue of Ukraine, Bilawal said that although he sympathizes with Ukraine and Pakistan have their own problems. with and not want participate in other conflicts.
“Too much misery going around in my own area for us be encouraged to participate with what of Certainly a devastating situation out in Ukraine,” he said.
Bilawal called Pakistan’s relations with China as “very comprehensive” with great economic potential.
“We have seen a commitment to incredible economic opportunities in our engagement with China. For example, with CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), we have seen how our communications and energy infrastructure is really up in in last decade,” he said.
“We call themselves allweather strategic partners and we are proud on in history of our relationship with China. There’s a lot of economic potential for us unblock it added.
