Tazeen Akhtar
Controversies are consistently chasing the Federal Interior Minister of Pakistan Mr. Mohsin Naqvi. First it was about his meetings with anti China senators and participation in pro Taiwan organizaions’ even. Now it is about his USA visit without invitation to inauguration of President Trump that is being portrayed in Pakistani media.
Another question is being asked, the visit is with or without the permission of his Prime Minister. If neither MOFA nor PM Office are aware in what capacity , the Interior Minister is in USA, Who else is the responsible of this visit?
It speaks a lot that Interior Minister or Ministry did not bother to inform their Foreign Office about the visit.
Spokesperson foreign office of Pakistan replied to such a question that Ambassador of Pakistan to USA was invited to the oath-taking ceremony and he only represented Pakistan in the event. Foreign Office has not processed the visit of Interior Minister.
It clearly means that no one else was invited , neither PM, President nor Mohsin and Bilawal. Interior Minister was there in his personal capacity.
The question in the briefing of Spokesperson was ;
“Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, was there. We saw footages of him, in what capacity was he in the US? Because the Ambassador was accompanying him. And then he attended an event as well, interestingly, which spoke about new Federal State of China, which essentially goes beyond the preview of the current Chinese regime, does Pakistan officially endorse that take of a new federal state of China while standing in the US from the Interior Minister?”
The answer by the Spokesperson was ;
“Government of Pakistan was officially represented by our Ambassador, as in the past oath taking ceremonies. That’s the first point. Secondly, about the Honorable Minister of Interior going to Washington. Because this has not been processed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I will refer you to the Spokesman at the Ministry of Interior. They can provide you more details”
“And about this particular thing you mentioned about the federal state of China. I don’t have facts, but I can try to check. But as far as Pakistan is concerned, it remains a core principle of our foreign policy to support One China. There’s One China, and this principle enjoys unwavering support of Pakistan. There is no question of any ambiguity about it. It’s a very clear and emphatic position, Spokesperson replied.
Second question ; Interior Minister contacted you and you briefed him as he was going on an important event and the meetings he is having, how much you are onboard?
Spokesperson: Number one, the ministers travel abroad with the permission of the Prime Minister. This is his prerogative. The meetings he is having were not planned by our Ministry, so for details, I will again refer you to Ministry of Interior.
The spokesperson did not comment on weather a Pakistani minister should attend the event of an organization that presents itself as The Gov of China in Exile?
It is a matter of concern that the visit has no official procedure followed nor any rules and regulations observed. Principally, the minister should take permission from Prime Minister before leaving for any other country. Prime Minister office is supposed to come forward with a clear statement in this regard.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi Denies Attending Anti-China Event in US
Who sent Mohsin to USA and who allowed him , suggested him to attend Free China reception are the questions being asked in the diplomatic circles of Islamabad.Here it is worth noting that Mohsin is not the pick and chose of PMLN gov. He is non elected and was facilitated to become a Senator after assuming charge of the ministry to fulfill the constitutional requirement.
Here one can see that Ambassador of Pakistan Rizwan Saeed Sheikh is accompanying Interior Minister in the meetings that means he is coordinating the meetings of the minister.
Why Foreign Office does not seek a report from the Ambassador and share with the journalists who are asking the questions to avoid any controversy that can affect relations with China?
