ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) dismissed statement by former US Special Representative on Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad, saying Pakistan does not need “Unsolicited advice” on how to cope with its problems. “Pakistan does not need lectures or unsolicited advice from anyone on how to cope with challenges we face today,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zehra Baloch said in statement. Statement came in response to series of tweets by Zalmay Khalilzad where he suggested “Steps” for Pakistan to take as it faces “Triple crisis of political, economic and security”.

Dismissing Khalilzad’s advice, Foreign Office spokesperson said, “As resilient nation, we will come out stronger from present difficult situation”. In series of tweets Khalilzad said that Pakistan, despite great potential was “Underperforming and falling far behind its archrival, India”. He said that it was time for “Serious soul-searching, bold thinking and strategising” for those at helm in Pakistan. He warned government of Pakistan against arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, saying that it would “Only deepen crisis”.

“Whichever party wins election will have mandate from people on what must be done,” Zalmay said in his tweets. Meanwhile, FO spokesperson said that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari did not retain any gift and deposited all to Toshakhana. Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said it is misreporting in media regarding retention of gifts by Foreign Minister. “Foreign Minister did not retain any gift and deposited all in Toshakhana of Cabinet Division, in full compliance with government policy,” she said. 

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 15 2023

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