Qureshi sets out to strengthen regional ties

Announces two-day international conference to attract foreign investment

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi is leaving on a four-nation tour on Monday (today) as part of the government’s policy of outreach in the neighbourhood.

The Pakistani delegation, also consisting of the foreign secretary and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will visit Afghanistan, Iran, China and Russia from December 24-26, 2018, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Sunday.

During the visit, the foreign minister will discuss Pakistan’s bilateral relations with the senior leadership of these countries, to strengthen cooperation in various areas.

“Implementing the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan is eager to strengthen ties with neighbours and regional partners. Such cooperation is key to unleashing Pakistan’s considerable potential and expanding mutually beneficial economic cooperation and development,” read the statement.

Besides detailed exchange of views on important areas of bilateral cooperation, views will also be exchanged on the fast changing regional and international environment. Recent developments concerning peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan would also be discussed during these meetings.



“Pakistan has always maintained that the solution to the conflict in Afghanistan lies in an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. International community’s recent consensus to adopt this as the guiding principle to resolve the 40-year-old Afghan conflict, vindicates Pakistan’s long held view.”

The visit is part of promoting various initiatives and ideas for regional cooperation especially in promoting economic and people-to-people linkages.

Speaking to the media in Multan on Sunday, Qureshi said the Foreign Ministry would be hosting a two-day conference aimed to attract foreign investment in the country.

The foreign minister revealed that dignitaries from at least 11 countries would be attending the conference. The conference would see Prime Minister Imran Khan, Finance Minister Asad Umar and Adviser to the PM on Commerce, Textile, Industries and Investment Abdul Razzaq Dawood presenting their economic visions.

Reflecting on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) governance, the foreign minister said the incumbent government’s prudent policies were yielding positive results.

“The government is taking practical steps to strengthen the economy,” he said, adding that the recently announced packages from China, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia were a testimony to the government’s efforts.

He further said UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan would be visiting Pakistan in the first week of January next year while KSA Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman would likely visit in February.

“The PTI-led government is committed to establish South Punjab as a separate province, but there are administrative and legislative requirements which must be fulfilled,” he added.