Tazeen Akhtar
The Interior Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Mohsin Naqvi’s USA visit to attend the inauguration of President Trump was not a big deal but it has generated a big controversy regarding Pak China relations that are already facing ups and downs for last few months, especially after Karachi attack on Chinese citizens and FM Dar’s remarks in an event in Islamabad about the security of the Chinese in Pakistan.
Attending the inauguration was a routine matter but meeting with two Congressmen who are die hard supporters of Taiwan and participation in a reception hosted by New Federal State of China (NFSC) have been marked as controversial.
(Mohsin Naqvi in a meeting with US Congressmen Thomas Richard Suozzi and Jack Bergman in Washington.: Photo released by Media section of Ministry of Interior Pakistan)
Mohsin’s meeting with US Congressmen Thomas Richard Suozzi and Jack Bergman in Washington was no doubt on Pak US relations only but it is also a fact that both are anti China and pro Taiwan.
Moreover, it is also worth noting that Thomas Suozzi is Democratic while Jack Bergman is Republican. Why two opposite parties’ Congressmen received Mohsin together at one office? That needs further clarification.
Second activity of Mohsin, that is being discussed in Washington was his participation in the reception of NFSC that is the organization working on the change of regime in China and that is the opposition of the Communist Party of China.
Mohsin can be seen received warmly there and introduced to maximum participants. He was also invited to address the guests, a rare thing.
Mohsin’s ministry media reported, ” It was special dinner reception at the Lincoln Liberty Hall in Washington. He interacted with Senator Tommy Tuberville, Member of Congress Ken Calvert, former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, and Governor of Mississippi Phil Bryant. During the meetings,matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations were discussed.”
Here are two things to see; 1- Mohsin was invited there ? 2- It was only on Pak USA relations?
Senior Pakistani journalist Saqlain Imam has pointed out that Mohsin was not invited there. He just showed up there and welcomed though. Saqlain Imam observes this activity as wrong move of a Pakistani minister in over confidence because he is close relative of a big figure in Pakistani system. ” Pakistan is supporter of one China policy but her interior minister’s participation in NFSC dinner can raise questions , is there any change in the policy? Imam noted.
(Mohsin Naqvi in a meeting with US Senator Tommy Tuberville during a special dinner reception at the Lincoln Liberty Hall in Washington.: Photo released by Media section of Ministry of Interior Pakistan)
In good faith, and on positive reporting, to remain optimistic, we can see it in another way. If he was not invited, he would not have been given the mic to address the guests. And his few sentences were only on Pak US relations and Mr. Trump’s inauguration.
(with former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Liz Truss and Member of US Congress Ken Calvert : Photo released by Media section of Ministry of Interior Pakistan )
It is possible that he was not invited and he just reached there himself. But it can also be seen as his desire to meet maximum representatives of US administration and parliament. President Biden imposed sanctions on Pakistan missile program and it was suitable for any Pakistani minister who is in Washington to convince maximum law makers on Pakistan’s view point.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi Denies Attending Anti-China Event in US
Another thing to note is , if these two activities were really meant for Pakistan’s Taiwan policy in anyway, Mohsin’s own media officials would never share the details and photos to the media.
Yes! it is true and advisable that Pakistani officials should take special care while interacting with any international official who is known as Anti CCP and Pro Taiwan, especially in USA, where everyone poses as Anti China.
(Pakistan in the World media despite having historical work on China and CPEC, has no “special working agreement” with Press Section of the Embassy of China in Islamabad – We work on the interests of Pakistan only and write what we think is right – Tazeen Akhtar Editor)
