Planning minster says articles are written, published worldwide, but no country formulates policy based on them
\n islamabad
\nFederal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday accused \u201ca political party\u201d of spreading misinformation about Pakistan-China relations over the past few days, claiming that a smear campaign was underway to sabotage the strong ties between two time-tested friends.
\n\u201cTrolling is being used to put pressure on critics, subjecting them to harassment,\u201d Iqbal said addressing a press conference in Lahore.
\nIqbal categorically stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) or any other political party would not be allowed to spread misinformation against the state\u2019s diplomatic relations and policies.
\n\u201cWhile differences exist between the government and opposition, state institutions should not be targeted. Weakening these institutions jeopardises the stability of the state.\u201d
\nThe minister pointed out that for the first time, Pakistan and China were advancing their relations in the space sector.
\n\u201cChina\u2019s participation will elevate the space programme to new heights. China has expressed readiness to enhance CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) at an upgraded level,\u201d he reiterated.
\nHe said that a state\u2019s policy was not determined by random articles. \u201cArticles are written and published worldwide, but no country or state formulates policy based on them. Policy decisions are made through negotiations between governments.\u201d
\nThe federal minister further added that \u201ccooperation with China have also expanded into the space sector\u201d.
\n\u201cAfter hearing joint statements, only a fool would claim that relations are deteriorating. Relations with China have improved after recent engagements.\u201d
\nIqbal quoted the Chinese President as saying that \u201cthey (China) want to deepen strategic relations\u201d.
\nThe planning minister remarked that Pakistan-China relations would further strengthen, dismissing claims that Beijing had downgraded its relations with Islamabad as enemy propaganda.
\nThe minister emphasised that any attempt to toy with the interests of the state would be dealt with iron hands, and \u201cwe may have disagreements, but that doesn\u2019t mean we are playing for the state\u2019s interests\u201d.
\nEarlier on Sunday, in an apparent reference to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Barrister Aqeel Malik, the federal government\u2019s spokesperson on legal affairs warned that the state would clamp on those involved in running anti-state campaign on social media in a bid to damage Pakistan\u2019s ties with friendly countries.
\nHe urged the PTI to quit its \u201canti-state activities and propaganda,\u201d and hold dialogue with the government on political issues to mull over solutions instead of damaging the nation\u2019s interest at global forums.
\nThe spokesperson stated this while addressing a press conference to brief the media on the political party\u2019s anti-state activities abroad.
\nBarrister Malik said that there was no precedent to PTI\u2019s \u201cenmity as it was perpetrating anti-Pakistan legislation in foreign countries\u201d.
\n\u201cPakistan is an independent country and does not take dictation from any nation. We want friendly relations with all nations.
\n\u201cHowever, a concentrated smear campaign against Pakistan in foreign countries that started after the 2022 vote of no confidence which mounted the anti-Pakistan propaganda,\u201d he said, adding that the PTI had hired lobbyists and PR firms to promote anti-Pakistan campaign abroad.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Planning minster says articles are written, published worldwide, but no country formulates policy based on them islamabad Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday accused \u201ca political party\u201d of spreading misinformation about Pakistan-China relations over the past few days, claiming that a smear campaign was underway to sabotage the strong ties between two time-tested […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":411645,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-413342","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n