Very first response on the statement of President of Armenia, from government of Pakistan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs has come,crystal clear and categorical, and that from the highest office bearer, Mr. Shah Mehmood Qureshy, Minister Foreign Affairs Pakistan, that Pakistan has no intention to establish relations with Armenia.
” Pakistan is against any aggression and peaceful coexistence is the basic principle of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Armenian aggression on Azerbaijani Karabakh is unjustified and so far there is no such proposal or intention to recognize Armenia. Pakistan stands with Azerbaijan as a brother country.” Shah Mehmood Qureshi said.
The foreign minister of Pakistan was replying to a question of Mr. Qaisar Nawab, , Founder President of Pakistan-Azerbaijan Alumni Association who met the FM at parliament house on 30 Dec 2021.
Here it is worth mentioning that the President of Armenia Mr Armen Sarkissian said in his interview to Arab News that Armenia is ready to build relations with Pakistan. The interview appeared in a Pakistani newspaper and a website translated it into Urdu. It depicts that a thoughtful effort is on to seek the attention of Pakistan through Middle East and Pakistani media.
The Pakistani newspaper published an article in which sources of foreign ministry were quoted as saying that Pakistan will not establish relations with Armenia. But no particular or specific reference was given in the article about any official. The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Islamabad had some articles published in some other newspapers in response to the interview of the President of Armenia in which the writers tried to convince Pakistani government not to consider the proposal of relations.
Now this is the first since then, that Minister foreign affairs himself rejected the offer by the President of Armenia. Pakistan always says that our stance on Armenia is a principled stand. FM Qureshy elaborated the same principled stance in short meeting with Mr. Qaisar Nawab at Parliament House today.
Meanwhile, I conducted a survey on my face book page on “Armenia President says – We are Keen to Establish Relations with Pakistan – Armenia occupied Azerbaijani Lands – What should be the Response of Pakistan to Armenian President’s Statement?“
The response was mixed on this point from the friends who belonged to different sections of society including media, education, civil service etc. Most of them were of the view that Pakistan should accept the offer with condition that Armenia will leave all occupied territories and will not be involved in any escalation or proxy in the future.
Here are the comments from Pakistani society :
Rabia Noor Azhar – Public Health Expert/ Planning and Policy
Establishing relationship of peace with any country should be accepted by Pakistan. In this case specially if Armenia is offering and they’re keen on creating peaceful links should be accepted. But decisions should be made by taking into consideration that how’d it effect relationship between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
Nasir Mughal – Feature Writer
Pakistan should respond positively, as Islamabad will be able to be in more effective position to make both countries resolve their issues amicably.
Imtiaz Baluch – Philanthropist – IP Expert
I think Pakistan shud reply positively and try to get the tussle of both rivals settled
Raja Mutaal – Young Writer
Sir establishing relations with any country is important as we are also ready to make relationship with India … By establishing relations we have the opportunity to resolve the conflict of occupied land as a third party
Safeer Shah – Journalist – Lawyer
Its good opportunity that President of Armenia is keen to Established the diplomatic relations with Pakistan. The statement is of the President of Armenia so we shall consider. Pakistan must give the response positively in this regards.
Aamir Saleem Mir – Logistic Expert from Turkmenistan
If Azerbaijan can have diplomatic relationship with India then we should also accept Armenia’s offer.
Luqman Shah – Journalist
Pakistan should not have to develop relations with any invader country
Muhammad Ishaq Mlo – Journalist, Gilgit
Pakistan has sided with Azerbaijan in the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.Now it is out of sense suddenly Armenia to want to have good relations with Pakistan
Shahid Iqbal Kamran – Former Head of Iqbal Chair at Open University Islamabad
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a hidden issue within the layers of history, far behind the current global political and geographical context. If Azerbaijan is in pain, then this Armenia should move away from the Azerbaijan conflict and think about the US-Russia conflict. Obviously, as a Pakistani, my attention, love and support will be with Azerbaijan.
But I would like to stay away from the US-Russia conflict. Pakistan should also openly advocate the position and interests of Azerbaijan before Russia and try to use Russia’s influence to resolve the more than a century old dispute between the two countries. Focus on finding solutions that are acceptable to countries.
In fact, Russian aid is also hidden in the fact that it does not allow the United States to open its shop at its doorstep.
Pakistan should promote its educational, cultural ties with Azerbaijan.
Tazeen Akhtar
