Pakistan exploring possibility of joining BRICS, Senate panel told

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani reiterated on Friday the government’s clear-cut stance that Pakistan was not part of any bloc politics, and stressed that the country wanted to have positive relations with all nations across the globe.

Briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Relations regarding Pakistan's efforts to gain full membership of BRICS, he said that Islamabad was actively exploring the possibility of joining the five nation international grouping.

“The political situation in the world is changing but Pakistan's position is clear: We are not part of any bloc politics,” Jilani told the committee. We want equal relations with America and China. America is very important to us,” he added.

Briefing the committee, Jilani highlighted the history and objectives of BRICS, which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. In its recent summit meeting in Johannesburg, the group invited Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia to it fold.

Jilani said that Pakistan was exploring the possibility of joining the group in view of its objectives of restructuring the international financial structure and reducing its dependence on dollar, adding that the foreign ministry had started the process of consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Read more: Situationer: Why BRICS’ push for multipolarity worries the West?

During the meeting, the senators expressed concerns that India's might veto Pakistan's entry into BRICS. However, the caretaker foreign minister played down these apprehensions, saying that any member resorting to such a veto would risk its own status within the group.

Responding to a query from the chair, , the foreign minister said that BRICS membership would give Pakistan representation at an important international forum and facilitate trade and economic relations with its member countries.

When asked about Pakistan's relations with the United States, Jilani highlighted the global impact of conflicts like the one between Russia and Ukraine. He emphasised Pakistan's policy of maintaining positive relations with all the nations, in view of the interconnectedness of the present world.

Furthermore, the minister also briefed the committee about the policy of appointing non-career ambassadors and high commissioners. There is a 20% quota for non-career appointments, which is strictly being followed,” he said.

Responding to the recent Taliban attacks in Chitral, Jilani stressed that the situation was under control. “Pakistan is actively engaged with the Afghan interim government. Our ambassador is meeting with the [relevant] Afghan authorities to resolve the matter,” he added.

Meanwhile, in an interview with a private TV channel, the foreign minister termed the ongoing dialogue with the Afghan authorities on militancy very positive. “It [Chitral incident] was an isolated incident and we don’t think it had their [Afghan government] sanction.”