Twin objectives: PM renews focus on trade and diplomacy

Inaugurates a new block of the Foreign Office building.

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made a strong pitch for ending militancy in the country and promoting peaceful and friendly relations with the international community, especially with the country’s neighbours, during the inaugural ceremony of a new block of the Foreign Office building in Islamabad on Friday.

The building has been named in honour of former foreign minister Sahabzada Yaqub Khan. “Diplomacy is the first line of defence for any country and should be used to promote trade,” the premier said.

Pakistan’s foreign policy is focused on ‘trade, not aid’, he said, and is resolved towards building a peaceful and prosperous neighbourhood in the region and internationally while developing a consensus-based approach to counter terrorism. “In order to realise these objectives, we have taken initiatives to improve our relations with Afghanistan, to resume dialogue with India, strengthen our strategic partnership with China and rebuild relations with the US on the basis of mutual respect and interest,” he added.



“Our message to the world is of peace and friendship. We seek cooperation based on mutual interest as our effort is to transform the existing friendly ties into mutually beneficial partnerships,” the prime minister said.

The prime minister said Pakistan cannot afford isolation at any level and stressed the need to bring changes in traditional diplomacy. He said diplomatic missions must pay special attention to the needs of overseas Pakistanis. “The heads of missions must maintain close liaison with the Pakistani community and oversee the implementation of measures aimed at safeguarding their rights and interests in foreign lands and enhancing their well-being.”

Addressing the ceremony‚ former foreign secretary and ambassador designate to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani, said the Foreign Office is playing its due role to strengthen Pakistan’s relations with the international community and its neighbours. According to him, positive results have been achieved due to the new foreign policy guidelines provided by the prime minister.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2013.