First 100 days of PTI's government: The important meetings

It was important for the PTI government to maintain good foreign relations with Islamabad's allies

KARACHI: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) formed a government after its victory in the 2018 general expectations amid high expectations.

With a new prime minister at the helm, it was imperative for the PTI government to maintain good foreign relations with Islamabad's allies and countries which have been at odd with Pakistan and also bring about a new way forward in relations with New Delhi.

Foreign trips:

The newly-formed government's first international interaction was at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly session in September. In a break from tradition, Prime Minister Imran Khan skipped attending the UNGA to focus on the country's economy. The Pakistani delegation was led by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

While FM Qureshi was supposed to have an important meeting on the sidelines with Indian FM Sushma Swaraj, the meet was called off by India.

During his UN visit, FM Qureshi met United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He also met United States President Donald Trump on the sidelines.

“I met with President Trump at the reception where I had the opportunity to discuss Pakistan-US relations with him. I requested him that we have had cordial relations and need to rebuild them,” FM Qureshi said.



PM Imran's first foreign visit was to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. He met with the kingdom's top brass to discuss the regional security situation and touched upon issues of mutual interest. On the same tour, he also visited the United Arab Emirates and held talks with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

PM Imran in Saudi Arabia. PHOTO: PTI

On his second trip to Saudi Arabia during the first 100 days, the PM secured a $6billion lifeline in the form of cash assistance and oil on deferred payments.

The prime minister also made an official visit to China and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit to China was deemed successful as it brought promises of economic aid.

PM Imran with President Xi Jinping PHOTO: AFP

During the China trip, the premier also met his Russian counterpart Dmitri Medvedev on the sidelines of the China International Imports Expo.

The PM also visited Malaysia on a two-day visit. This was the first state by any foreign leader since Malaysian President Dr Mahathir Mohamad assumed office in May.

During the visit, PM Imran's interaction with Malaysia's first lady went viral after the latter asked to hold his hand during a press photo.


During the first 100 days, FM Qureshi also visited Kabul to meet senior Afghan leadership. He held a one on one meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul where the region’s security situation and bilateral relations were discussed.

Foreign dignitaries in Pakistan

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was the first foreign dignitary to visit the country after PTI assumed power. Zarif met senior military and civilian officials.

The government’s first 100 days also saw diplomatic visits by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was accompanied by Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff General Joseph Dunford and Trump’s special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. Talks were first held with the foreign minister and then with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues take place between Pakistan and the US. FM Qureshi underscores the need to reset bilateral ties on basis of mutual trust and respect. Safeguarding Pakistan’s national interests will remain supreme priority. pic.twitter.com/WhINcNRbZT

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 5, 2018

China's foreign minister also arrived in Pakistan. During his stay, the top Chinese official held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi and met PM Imran as well as the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

No head of state visited Pakistan during the first 100 days of PTI's government.

Civil-military meetings

The army chief called on PM Imran four times during the first 100 days. The first visit came after the PM assumed office, the second before Pompeo's visit to discuss Pak-US relations.

In the third meeting, the COAS was accompanied by ISI chief Naveed Mukhtar.



The fourth meeting came after PM Imran's visit to China, where both discussed the visit as well the security situation after TLP's country-wide protests.

The premier also visited the General Headquarters (GHQ) once to attend a crucial briefing by the army chief on defence and internal security matters.

Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived to visit GHQ. Received on arrival by COAS. PM being briefed on defence, internal security and other professional matters.
Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Information and Minister of State for Interior are accompanying the PM.

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) August 30, 2018