ISLAMABAD: During a telephone conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reiterated that Pakistan completely respects Aasia Bibi’s legal rights and would ensure that she was extended the same, a statement released by the Foreign Ministry read on Tuesday.
“Canadian FM telephoned FM Qureshi yesterday. Among other issues, Aasia Bibi was discussed. Canadian FM appreciated the Supreme Court’s courageous decision and PM’s positive speech,” Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Foreign Ministry spokesperson posted on social media on Tuesday.
He added that Qureshi informed Freeland that “Aasia Bibi is our national [citizen] and Pakistan fully respects her legal rights”.
Bibi, 51, is a Christian woman whose case gained international attention after she was placed on death row in 2010. This was after a lower court found her guilty of committing blasphemy. However, citing a lack of credible evidence in the case, the Supreme Court (SC) overturned the ruling on October 31, acquitting Bibi of all charges. The decision led to massive protests across the country, spearheaded by a far-right religious party, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), who set several conditions for calling off the protests. Prime among these was that the SC overturns its verdict and places Bibi on the country’s Exit Control List.
The TLP party reiterated on Tuesday that it strictly opposed her release while threatening to stir up protests if Bibi was permitted to leave the country. “It is a stance of the millions of Pakistani Muslims,” TLP spokesman Ejaz Ashrafi told Reuters.
Meanwhile, Bibi’s husband has appealed to Britain, Canada, and the United States to grant her a safe passage out of Pakistan, claiming that her life was in danger as long as she continued to live in the country. Last week, Bibi’s lawyer, Saiful Mulook, flew to the Netherlands fearing for his life.
While the government has indicated to protesters that it will bar Bibi from traveling abroad, international talks suggest otherwise. In an interview with Agence France Presse, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday that talks were underway with Pakistan in this regard. “We are in discussions with the Pakistani government,” Trudeau said, adding that, “There is a delicate domestic context that we respect which is why I don’t want to say any more about that, but I will remind people Canada is a welcoming country,” he added.
We respect Aasia Bibi’s legal rights, Qureshi tells Canadian FM
We respect Aasia Bibi’s legal rights, Qureshi tells Canadian FM
- TLP workers threaten to stir up protests if Christian woman is allowed to leave Pakistan
- Case gained global traction after she was placed on death row in a blasphemy case
Pakistan to promote mineral sector at Saudi forum this month with 13 companies
- Delegation will take part in the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh from Jan. 13-15
- Petroleum minister will lead Pakistan, participate in a 90-minute country session
ISLAMABAD: Around 13 Pakistani state-owned and private companies will attend the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Saudi Arabia from Jan. 13 to 15, an official statement said on Friday, as the country seeks to ramp up global engagement to develop its mineral resources.
The FMF is an international conference and investment platform for the mining sector, hosted by mineral-rich countries to attract global investors, companies and governments.
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik confirmed Pakistan’s participation in a meeting with the Saudi envoy, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki.
Pakistan hosts one of the world’s largest copper-gold zones. The Reko Diq mine in southwestern Balochistan, with an estimated 5.9 billion tons of ore, is partly owned by Barrick Gold, which calls it one of the world’s largest underdeveloped copper-gold deposits. Its development is expected to boost Pakistan’s struggling economy.
“Upon an invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Federal Minister informed the Ambassador that Pakistan will fully participate in the upcoming Future Minerals Forum (FMF), scheduled to be held in Riyadh later this month,” Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) said in an official statement.
The Pakistani minister will lead his country’s delegation at the FMF and take part in a 90-minute country showcase session titled “Unleashing Potential: Accelerating Pakistan’s Mineral Revolution” along with local and foreign investors.
Pakistan will also establish a dedicated pavilion to highlight the vast potential of its rich geological landscape to the global mineral community.
The Saudi envoy welcomed Pakistan’s decision to participate in the forum and discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in the minerals and energy sectors during the meeting.
According to the statement, he highlighted the potential for cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in the minerals and energy sectors, expressing confidence that the FMF would provide a platform to expand collaboration.
Pakistan’s mineral sector, despite its rich reserves of salt, copper, gold and coal, contributes only 3.2 percent to the country’s GDP and just 0.1 percent to global mineral exports.
However, many countries, including the United States, have shown interest in Pakistan’s underdeveloped mineral sector, particularly in copper, gold and other critical resources.
In October, Pakistan dispatched its first-ever shipment of rare earth and critical minerals to the United States, according to a Chicago-based US public relations firm’s report.
