Pakistan accepts Indian aid offer: Qureshi

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Aug 20 (PTI) Pakistan has finally accepted
the USD five million aid offered by India for flood relief
victims and said such a gesture was appreciated.
"I can share with you that the Government of Pakistan
has agreed to accept the Indian offer (of USD 5 million aid),"
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on the
sidelines of the special session of the General Assembly on
Pakistan at the United Nations headquarters.
The US had Thursday asked Pakistan to accept USD five
million in flood aid from India as politics should have no
role in disaster response.
The Foreign Minister asserted that Pakistan was not
playing any politics on aid offer from India.
"We are not playing politics. Let me acknowledge the
fact that the Minister for External Affairs, Mr (S M) Krishna,
called me in Islamabad and he expressed sympathy, he condoled
with me on the loss of life, and offered assistance to
Pakistan," he told the NDTV in an interview.
Qureshi was at the United Nations headquarters in New
York to attend the special session of the General Assembly on
Pakistan.
Qureshi thanked Krishna, Indian Government and Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh, for this very "positive" gesture.
"It's highly appreciated by Pakistan and we have
recognised it. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called Prime
Minister Gillani and they have also exchanged views on the
evolving flood situation in Pakistan.
"He has reiterated the offer made by the foreign
minister, and I can share with you that the government of
Pakistan has agreed to accept the Indian offer," Qureshi said.
"I think this initiative of India is a very welcome
initiative and I'm looking forward to further engagements with
my counterpart to improve the environment, to build confidence
and to bridge the trust deficit between the two countries,"
the Pakistan Foreign Minister said.
When asked about reports that Islamic extremist groups
might take advantage of this opportunity to win over hearts
and minds, Qureshi asserted this will not happen.
"I think what we saw today and the UN will not permit
them to take advantage of the situation. I think the
international community is now forthcoming and the
international community is responding and they are responding
quickly, and we will not allow them to exploit that
situation," Qureshi said. PTI LKJ
MRD


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