Pakistan for engagement with US despite strained ties

KARACHI: Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua has said that despite the recent hostile and antagonistic statements by the US leadership, Pakistan believes in engagement with the United States. The foreign secretary was addressing a lecture on the Pakistan’s Foreign Policy Issues at the IBA City Campus.

Janjua asserted that the Haqqani network is not working inside Pakistan. However, on the contrary, the enemies of Pakistan are gaining foothold in Afghanistan, she said. Janjua said that Pakistan is ensuring an honourable return of Afghan refugees and is working on their rehabilitation.

The foreign secretary said Pakistan needs to engage and build relationships with countries other than the US and is maintaining a flourishing relationship with Russia. Pakistan’s focus lies in strengthening exchanges with Iran in the field of trade, commerce and border management. Regarding India, Janjua said we maintain our principled position for a a comprehensive dialogue with India without any preconditions. The foreign secretary expressed her desire to develop a working relationship of the IBA with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in involving methodology of developing case studies, developing Result Based Management System for the Foreign Office, innovation and promoting Pakistan as a brand.

The presentation was followed by a question and answer session. A shield was presented to the guest and a vote of thanks was offered by the Dean and Director IBA, Dr. Farrukh Iqbal and Associate Dean, IBA, Dr. Huma Baqai.

The event was attended by foreign delegates, prominent personalities from the corporate world, the IBA graduates, faculty and students.