Says Pakistan’s interest is at our very centre of foreign policy
Islamabad (Pakistan Point News – 20th August, 2018) Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in a press talk on Monday has set the framework of the future foreign policy of the country.
“I want to give a message to the world that the start of Pakistan’s foreign policy begins and ends at Pakistan. Pakistan’s interest is at our very centre of foreign policy. Wherever we need to fix our foreign policy we will fix it,” he began.
While we want peace in the region, our focus is on the common man of Pakistan and how we can improve their quality of life through economic development, he said, adding that we are aware that we have unlimited challenges but our will and resolve to do this is strong.
He went on to say, “Some forces have been trying to run Pakistan into isolation and marginalisation. And why wouldn’t they do it? Your country didn’t have a foreign minister, who is meant to be your chief diplomat. This gives your opponents open playing fields. I will prefer national consensus building on foreign matters. I will try to adopt a bipartisan approach.”
I invite our opposition parties, PPP’s Hina Rabbani Khar, PMLN’s Khawaja Muhammad Asif and MMA’s parliamentary leader to join us on the table to think on foreign policy and I would like to benefit from them, he said.
“An important event is coming up; the UN General Assembly session where I will be representing Pakistan and where we have to present Pakistan’s case to the world. I invite them to join us. My effort will be to bridge trust deficits and in what way; and what the hopes and aspirations of the people of Pakistan are,” the foreign minister said.
Foreign Policy with Afghanistan
As his first policy initiative, he will call the Afghan foreign minister, and plan to visit them at a mutually convenient time.
“Our future and geography are joined together. Our way to peace is joined together and we need each other. We have to move away from the problems of the past and go forward with strong intent and thought. There are many people who I have good relations within Afghanistan. When I was foreign minister, Mr Ashraf Ghani had a separate role. Today he is at a different stature. I want to tell the people of Afghanistan we need to become each other’s support base. And we have the capability to become a good support mechanism for each other. I have heard that we have a bilateral agreement in place which has five tracks and we want to move forward with those,” he said.
Restoration of ties with India
Regarding ties with India, he said, “My second message is for the Government of India. I want to tell the Indian foreign minister that we are not just neighbours; we are atomic powers. We have a lot of common resources. Us coming to the table and talking peace is our only option. We need to stop the adventurism and come together. We know the issues are tough and will not be solved overnight, but we have to engage. We cannot turn the face the other way. Yes we have outstanding issues. Kashmir is a reality; it is an issue that both our nations acknowledge. Atal Bihari Vajpayee who is no longer in this world, he came to Pakistan. He came to Lahore and Islamabad and he acknowledged the reality of Pakistan and that Kashmir is our outstanding issue. The Islamabad declaration is a part of our history. We need a continued and uninterrupted dialogue. This is our only way forward.”
Message for Pakistani missions abroad
“My third message is for the Pakistani missions abroad. You are not rulers, you are meant to serve. The intent with which PM Imran Khan addressed the nation, our attitudes will have to change towards our people. A good nature, courtesy never makes you lose anything. You gain friends. Treat our Overseas Pakistanis with respect. This is the duty of all our embassies abroad now.”
Two-way relations with the US
About relations with the US, he said, “I have had the opportunity to work with Condolezza Rice, Hillary Clinton and Richard Holbroke. I understand their reservations, but we will also put forward our own reservations to them. There are big nations and small nations, but there is no compromise on national integrity. We have to bridge the trust deficit and put forward Pakistan’s concerns.”
No role of security institutions in Foreign Policy
On a question that the foreign policy of Pakistan is formulated somewhere else, he said, “You have pre conceived ideas on where the foreign policy of Pakistan is made. Now it will be made here, the Foreign Office of Pakistan. You take input from institutions, I will engage with them for the people of my country. My policy is Pakistan First, and added, “When US makes foreign policy; doesn’t it take advice from The CIA and the Pentagon. I know how the system works; I have studied Obama’s foreign policy mechanisms in details. We will put Pakistan first.”
