Discusses situation in Ukraine with EU security representative
MIRPUR KHAS
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan helped distressed Indian students fleeing the Ukraine war on humanitarian grounds in Lviv.
Talking to the journalists on Thursday, the foreign minister said that he has spoken with the foreign ministers of Romania, Hungary, and Poland regarding the safe exit of Pakistani students from the war zone and they have assured Pakistan of their support in this regard.
“I talked with the Romanian foreign minister and sought an update from him on the latest situation of the conflict. Romania has a long 400-mile border with Ukraine and my discussion was focused on the assistance of our students fleeing war.” The foreign minister added that most Pakistani students have left the country.
“We are working hard to ensure their safe return and our embassies are playing a key role. You must have seen videos of our embassy [in Lviv] helping Indian students fleeing Ukraine where they were provided food,” Qureshi added.
“They are kids in distress due to war and we helped them whatever was possible on a humanitarian basis.”
In a video that has gone viral on social media, an Indian student can be heard saying that they were looked after by Pakistani officials in Lviv. “You can see these all are Pakistani students here. We are four Indians only and the rest are Pakistanis.”
The student claimed that when they arrived at Kharkiv from Lviv, no Indian official was present at the embassy, noting that scores of people had gathered at the place.
In the video, it could be seen that students were enjoying their meals in a comfortable environment at the Pakistani embassy.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday held a telephonic conversation with Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and discussed the current situation in Ukraine.
During the conversation, views were exchanged on the emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly, a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said.
Recalling Prime Minister Imran Khan’s views regarding the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine, Qureshi said that the premier regretted the situation and had shared Pakistan’s hope that diplomacy could avert military conflict.
Underscoring the adverse effects of conflict on developing countries, the minister said that the PM has been stressing the importance of diplomatic solutions.
While expressing deep concern at the recent turn of events, Qureshi apprised Borrell of Pakistan’s principled position, which is anchored in the promotion of peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. He emphasised that Pakistan has consistently stressed the need for de-escalation, renewed negotiations, sustained dialogue, and continuous diplomacy. He stressed the importance of a solution in accordance with relevant multilateral agreements, international law, and principles of the UN Charter.
Borrell shared his perspective on the situation and highlighted its impact on international peace and security as well as the global economy. He acknowledged the importance of continued efforts for finding a diplomatic solution.
