ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday that the foreign policy should strengthen Pakistan’s relations with neighbouring countries and advance national development.
The premier made the above remarks during a visit to the foreign office on Saturday where he apprised the foreign office of his vision pertaining to Pakistan’s foreign policy and further directed the foreign office to work towards promoting economic diplomacy.
During the visit, the prime minister was given a comprehensive briefing by Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani on the country’s foreign policy from varying approaches and in the contexts of developing regional and international scenarios.
Jilani gave a detailed briefing to the prime minister on the situation in Afghanistan, upon which he said Pakistan was not allied with any particular group in the neighbouring country and was willing to work for peace with any group.
The prime minister said he was sending Sartaj Aziz, his advisor on foreign affairs and national security, to Afghanistan with this clear message to the Afghan leadership.
Aziz will be travelling to Afghanistan on Sunday, where he intends to address some of the concerns of the estranged Afghan leadership and persuade them to work with Pakistan for taking the peace process forward.
Moreover, the prime minister noted the positive international reaction to the successful democratic transition in Pakistan and the optimism generated since the installation of the new government for qualitative improvement in relations with a broad range of countries.
Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Mr. Tariq Fatemi participated in the briefing.
