ISLAMABAD: On Monday, the Foreign Office reaffirmed its support for the One-China Policy and dismissed media rumors as unfounded attempts to sabotage ties between China and Pakistan.
The Foreign Office stressed that Pakistan’s position has not changed and characterized the One-China Policy as a pillar of the country’s foreign policy.
The statement was made in reaction to mounting criticism of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s involvement in an event organized by the anti-Chinese organization New Federal State of China (NFSC).
“Baseless attempts to undermine ties between the two countries,” according to media reports
In an earlier statement, Mr. Naqvi—who was criticized for attending the event—denied that the gathering was anti-Chinese, but he did not address allegations that the NFSC hosted it.
On the other hand, the Foreign Office refrained from making any direct remarks regarding the scandal surrounding the event’s sponsorship by NFSC.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a diplomatic source informed Dawn that Gunster Strategies, a lobbying business that claims its relationships with US President Donald Trump’s family members and associates, was responsible for organizing the gathering. According to reports, NFSC was one of the sponsors.
Mr. Naqvi asserted that the event he attended was a youth gathering, although Gunster Strategies organized it to commemorate Trump’s inauguration.
According to the source, Mr. Naqvi’s participation was arranged directly by his office, avoiding Pakistan’s embassy in Washington. According to the source, the embassy’s participation was restricted to arranging for the minister’s transportation to the function.
According to the source, Mr. Naqvi’s connections were managed by a personal liaison in Washington.
According to reports, the Chinese embassy in Washington has subsequently brought up the matter with its equivalent in Pakistan, voicing their alarm over the event.
The FO reaffirmed that China is Pakistan’s strategic partner. It added that mutual trust, shared values, support for fundamental concerns, and a dedication to regional and international security are the hallmarks of this relationship.
A request for comments was made to Mr. Naqvi, but he did not respond.
