ISLAMABAD, June 5 (APP): Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz Sunday said having good relations with all its neighbours was the main pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Pursuing this policy, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had visited all the Central Asia countries while their heads of state had also visited Pakistan, he said while talking to a private news channel.
Sartaj said among the countries, Pakistan had the most important relationship with China.
With regard to regional connectivity, he said that a number of projects had been initiated including China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), CASA 1000 power project, Turkmenistan Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) and Pak-Iran gas pipelines.
Sartaj said Pakistan was focusing more on regional connectivity.
It had no objection if other countries of the region were engaged in regional connectivity as it would increase trade.
“We see this competition in the region as a healthy sign,” he said.
Pakistan, Sartaj said, was cooperating with Afghanistan on various projects of connectivity including Railway-link, road-link and hydro-electric power project.
To a question, he said there was a need for resumption of
composite dialogue between Pakistan and India. India’s concern over terrorism was included as a component of the composite dialogue while Pakistan wanted inclusion of all issues including Kashmir, he added.
The Adviser said Pakistan had the stance that all the outstanding issues, including Kashmir, should be discussed.
He said Pakistan’s policy regarding peace in the region was being supported internationally as the dialogue was the only way forward.
Pakistan had been conducting intensive discussions on the Kashmir issue at various forums and its policy on the subject was very clear, he added.
He made it clear that India’s attempts to change demography of
Kashmir would not be successful as protests were being held against its policies there.
He said Pakistan’s flag was being hoisted in Indian held Kashmir and ground realty there was not in favour of India as Kashmiris were
continuing struggle for their right to self-determination and Pakistan supported their just cause, he said.
Pakistan would raise Kashmir issue on all international forums including the United Nations.
