PM gets an update on Foreign Affairs, regional situation

PM gets an update on Foreign Affairs, regional situation
APP58-30 ISLAMABAD: June 30 - Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif reviews Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities during a meeting at Foreign Office. APP

ISLAMABAD, June 30 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
Friday while reiterating his priority for a peaceful neighbourhood
and resolution of disputes through dialogue, directed that trade,
investment and scientific collaboration, be the strategic pillars of
Pakistan’s foreign Policy.
He was speaking here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where
he was given a comprehensive review of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
priorities in the wake of recent developments in and around Pakistan
and the emerging global and regional scenario.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz,
recounted the important achievements made in the Foreign Policy
realm under the Prime Minister’s stewardship.
A statement released by the PM’s Media Office said the Prime
Minister expressed satisfaction over the status of strategic
partnership with China and the launch of CPEC, reviving the
strategic dialogue with the US, strong relations with Russia, major
improvement in relations with Central Asia culminating in Pakistan’s
membership of SCO.
The Prime Minister said these achievements were facilitated by
significant gains made in fighting terrorism and in achieving the
economic turnaround.
Foreign Secretary Ms Tehmina Janjua, in her presentation
dwelled on the challenges Pakistan was facing in key areas including
Afghanistan, India and the US. She also briefed the Prime Minister
on the recent developments in the Middle East.
Prime Minister underscored the importance of securing peace
and stability in the region through sustained dialogue and the
importance Pakistan attached to its continued partnership with the
United States.
In this context, he directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
to prepare initiatives on Afghanistan and also on building economic
and trade linkages to promote Pakistan’s development.
The Prime Minister directed the Foreign Ministry to
proactively highlight the serious human right violations being
committed in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and the denial of the
right of self-determination to Kashmiris.
In this regard, he expressed disappointment over the complete
silence in the US-India joint statement on the atrocities being
committed by the Indian Security Forces against innocent Kashmiris.
Prime Minister appreciated China’s role for improving
Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. He also recalled his recent meeting
with President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of SCO Summit and their
agreement to evolve a bilateral and quadrilateral mechanism for
controlling cross-border terrorism.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of highlighting
the unmatched contributions and sacrifices made by Pakistan in
fighting terrorism and of projecting Pakistan’s soft image.
Prime Minister particularly stressed that Pakistan should
progressively end its reliance on foreign assistance and funding by
developing and generating its own resources.
Emphasizing the importance of providing efficient and
economical consular services to the overseas Pakistanis, the Prime
Minister directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that
their 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 across
Pakistan at reasonable prices.
In this regard, he also directed that a volunteer roster of
medical professionals from amongst overseas Pakistani doctors be
developed to complement the existing human resource in Pakistan
Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar and senior officials of the
Foreign Office were also present during the briefing.

APP Services