–Pakistan strongly believes in peaceful neighbourhood, resolving outstanding issues, says foreign minister
–Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hold int’l conference to attract investments
ISLAMABAD/MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will leave for a four-nation tour on Monday as part of the government’s policy of outreach in the neighbourhood.
While being accompanied by the foreign secretary and other senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FM Qureshi will visit Afghanistan, Iran, China and Russia from December 24-26, 2018.
During the visits, 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 the key to unleashing Pakistan’s considerable potential and expanding mutually beneficial economic cooperation and development,” the official statement said.
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-years old Afghan conflict, vindicates Pakistan’s long held view,” the release added.
The visit is part of promoting various initiatives and ideas for regional cooperation, especially to encourage economic and people-to-people linkages.
‘PAKISTAN WANTS PEACEFUL NEIGHBORHOOD’:
FM Qureshi has said that Pakistan strongly believes in peaceful neighborhood and wants to resolve all outstanding issues with neighbours through dialogue.
Speaking in a radio programme, he said Pakistan’s attitude is measured and matured to resolve all issues with India as Islamabad wants peace, progress and prosperity in the region.
He said Pakistan has repeatedly stated that across the border firing and aggression at the Line of Control by India is badly affecting the peace of the region. He demanded of the Indian government to avoid such violations.
He expressed serious concerns over the martyrdom of innocent Kashmiris by Indian forces. He demanded of India to stop its brutal activities and incidences of martyring the Kashmiris.
He said elections are approaching in India and Indian leadership is criticising Pakistan to divert the attention of people from its internal issues which is a wrong approach.
IN’L CONFERENCE:
FM Qureshi also said on Sunday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will organize a two-day conference on Thursday to bring foreign investment to the country, Radio Pakistan reported.
Talking to the media in Multan, he said that the envoys of 11 countries will visit Pakistan to attend the event.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, Finance Minister Asad Umar and PM’s Advisor on Commerce, Textiles, Industries and Investment Abdul Razzaq Dawood will present their economic vision at the conference.
He said the government’s prudent policies are yielding positive results as it is taking practical steps for strengthening the economy and packages from China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Malaysia, announced recently, are a testimony to this fact.
The foreign minister added that the Saudi Crown Prince is likely to visit Pakistan in February and Crown Prince of UAE is also expected visit Pakistan in the first week of January 2019.
He added that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is committed to the establishment of south Punjab as a separate province but there are administrative and legislative requirements which need to be fulfilled.
