ISLAMABAD: As his successor is about to step into his shoes, Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani has written an emotional farewell wishing the “incoming government the very best and that his prayers will always be with our beautiful country and people”.
Jilani also highlighted the support he received from everyone at the Ministry calling them “brilliant“. Diplomats and those who watch the Foreign Office closely agree that this was one caretaker ministry under Jilani which was head and shoulders above others.
Jilani braved a real test to his diplomatic prowess when Iran killed and wounded Pakistanis in a missile strike in Balochistan claiming those killed were anti-Iran militants. Rushing back to Islamabad from abroad, Jilani and rest of the Foreign Office were burning the midnight oil, and everyone in the ministry was on a war-footing once it was clear that Pakistan would pay Iran in the same coin striking back deep inside its territory.
“This was certainly a very irresponsible action by Iran which has few friends in the Islamic world, Pakistan being one of them. Shukar hai it worked out well,“ said a senior diplomat as both countries reconciled.
“It has been a great honor to serve Pakistan and its people as Foreign Minister. Despite confronting various challenges on the economic and foreign policy front, the caretaker government under the able leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Kakar, who took bold decisions to stabilise the economy, averted a major crisis in our neighborhood, demanded a global action against climate change, and called for an end to the unimaginable violence orchestrated by Israel in Gaza and sent relief goods to our Palestinian brothers and sisters”.
The foreign minister added that as he completed his constitutional mandate and handed it over to the new government, he would like to appreciate the hard work, dedication, and commitment of all his cabinet colleagues who worked tirelessly for the national cause.
“I also owe a special debt of gratitude to the brilliant officers of the Foreign Office who have supported me from day one and continue to lead by example both at home and abroad, showcasing the very best that Pakistan has to offer”.
Jilani sent the incoming government his very best as it sets out to serve the people of Pakistan who certainly long for political and economic stability, good governance, peace, and harmony. “My prayers will always be with our beautiful country and people,” he said.
