ISLAMABAD: The prime minister’s advisor on national security and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Wednesday that Pakistan has strengthened its relations with the Islamic world, the United States and the European Union besides safeguarding national security.
In a statement issued in Islamabad on Wednesday regarding the government’s performance on the Strategic Vision of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy, the advisor said that as a result of the government’s foreign policy priorities, there is a visible transformation in the international image of Pakistan and the country now finds itself in the mainstream of the global community.
The premier’s advisor said that our time-tested and all-weather relationship with China has been transformed into a strong strategic partnership, with focus on trade, investment, energy infrastructure and connectivity.
“A monumental achievement is the initiation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is considered to be a “game-changer” in terms of trade, investment, connectivity and regional economic integration,” the advisor said.
Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan’s Afghan policy focused on mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference and no-favorites.
The advisor said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s early outreach to newly elected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to congratulate him in the swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi is reflective of his sincere commitment to turning a new page in the relationship.
“The government will continue to seek sustained and result-oriented dialogue, meaningful progress towards resolution of outstanding issues including Kashmir,” Aziz said.
The prime minister’s advisor said that the two foreign secretaries will be meeting shortly to evolve a roadmap for such a dialogue.
Aziz said that the strategic relationship with the United States is being reoriented on the basis of mutual interest and mutual trust.
“The US is key partner in trade and investment, counter terrorism and regional stability,” he added.
As regards the up-gradation of relations with the European Union, he said that a major achievement for the government has been the grant of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status to Pakistan in December 2013.
Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan’s relations with the Islamic world, particularly with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar and UAE witnessed a significant improvement.
The advisor said that the government would continue pursuing the foreign policy objectives, which include to safeguard Pakistan’s security and eliminate extremism and terrorism through concerted political and military strategies.
