ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz SharifFriday while reiterating his priority for a peaceful neighbourhoodand resolution of disputes through dialogue, directed that trade,investment and scientific collaboration, be the strategic pillars ofPakistan’s foreign Policy.
He was speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wherehe was given a comprehensive review of Pakistan’s Foreign Policypriorities in the wake of recent developments in and around Pakistanand the emerging global and regional scenario.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz,recounted the important achievements made in the Foreign Policyrealm under the prime minister’s stewardship.
A statement released by the PM’s Media Office said the primeminister expressed satisfaction over the status of strategicpartnership with China and the launch of CPEC, reviving thestrategic dialogue with the US, strong relations with Russia, majorimprovement in relations with Central Asia culminating in Pakistan’smembership of SCO.
The prime minister said these achievements were facilitated bysignificant gains made in fighting terrorism and in achieving the
economic turnaround.
Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, in her presentationdwelled on the challenges Pakistan was facing in key areas includingAfghanistan, India and the US.
She also briefed the prime ministeron the recent developments in the Middle East.Prime minister underscored the importance of securing peaceand stability in the region through sustained dialogue and theimportance Pakistan attached to its continued partnership with theUnited States.
In this context, he directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairsto prepare initiatives on Afghanistan and also on building economic
and trade linkages to promote Pakistan’s development.
The prime minister directed the Foreign Ministry toproactively highlight the serious human right violations beingcommitted in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and the denial of theright of self-determination to Kashmiris.
In this regard, he expressed disappointment over the completesilence in the US-India joint statement on the atrocities beingcommitted by the Indian Security Forces against innocent Kashmiris.
Prime minister appreciated China’s role for improvingPakistan-Afghanistan relations.
He also recalled his recent meetingwith President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of SCO Summit and theiragreement to evolve a bilateral and quadrilateral mechanism forcontrolling cross-border terrorism.
The prime minister emphasized the importance of highlightingthe unmatched contributions and sacrifices made by Pakistan in
fighting terrorism and of projecting Pakistan’s soft image.
Prime minister particularly stressed that Pakistan shouldprogressively end its reliance on foreign assistance and funding by
developing and generating its own resources.
Emphasizing the importance of providing efficient andeconomical consular services to the overseas Pakistanis, the primeminister directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure thattheir services were duly provided in a befitting manner.
Also taking note of the virtual suspension of medical visas,especially for those needing urgent transplants, the prime minister
directed urgent steps to provide such medical facilities acrossPakistan at reasonable prices.
In this regard, he also directed that a volunteer roster ofmedical professionals from amongst overseas Pakistani doctors bedeveloped to complement the existing human resource in PakistanMinister for Finance Ishaq Dar and senior officials of the
Foreign Office were also present during the briefing.