Pak FM Qureshi postpones Japan visit, asks help in easing tensions with India post Pulwama attack

As per reports in Pak media, Shah Mahmood Qureshi telephoned his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono and briefed him about the reason behind postponement of his official visit to Tokyo. He said that situation in South Asian region is tense following the Pulwama attack.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi / Image tweeted by @ForeignOfficePk

New Delhi: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi who was scheduled to leave for his Japan visit, postponed his trip amid a tensed India-Pak situation triggered after Pulwama terror attack that claimed lives of 40 CRPF soldiers. He also requested the country to play a part in easing the prevailing tensions. As per reports in Pak media, Shah Mahmood Qureshi telephoned his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono and briefed him about the reason behind postponement of his official visit to Tokyo. Qureshi said that situation in South Asian region is tense following the Pulwama attack. Fearing a strong response from India, following the attack by Pakistan based terror group, Qureshi said that it was important and inevitable for him to stay in the country, in such a sensitive situation. Qureshi also said that he has written to the UN secretary general to ease the prevailing situation. He also requested Japan to play an active role to do the same. Kono agreed to reschedule the visit at the earliest. On Friday, Qureshi wrote a letter to the United Nations Security Council accusing India of threatening regional security, a day after the powerful UN body named Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in a statement condemning the "heinous" Pulwama attack perpetrated by the terror outfit in Jammu and Kashmir. He also said India is accusing Pakistan for the Pulwama attack without any proof. In the ‘horrific’ attack carried out on February 14 in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, 40 Indian CRPF soldiers were killed as a suicide bomber rammed an explosives laden vehicle in a bus which was  a part of CRPF convoy.