NewsJune 30, 2017
Pakistan to review major foreign policy contours
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will have major review of its foreign policy contours in the wake of recently surfaced new elements of proximity in ties between the United States and India and other developments in the region as well intentional level concern to Pakistan’s interest.Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is also retaining the portfolio of the foreign affairs, will chair a close-doors high level meeting in the Foreign Office today (Friday) where an extensive briefing would be given to him on the subject, and new outlines in this regard would be deliberated by the participants.
Highly placed sources told The News here Thursday that Pakistan has been closely watching India’s increasing leaning towards the United States as the two already had very close military, political and economic relationship.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the United States last week and also touched some European capital, is slated to visit Israel next week which would be first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to that Zionist state. India has close cooperation with Israel for manufacturing and acquiring most sophisticated military hardware that poses threat to the region and Pakistan in particular in addition to its agreements with the United States for obtaining lethal drones costing $22 billion besides other armament.
The high level meeting that will be attended by all additional secretaries of the Foreign Office would be briefed by Adviser to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Secretary Ms Tehmina Janjua while the reports submitted by the various important capitals submitted by respective envoys of Pakistan, including Pakistan’s ambassador for the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry would be threadbare discussed by the participants of the huddle. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reached here Thursday evening from Lahore had asked the Foreign Office immediate after returning from London to arrange review of the overall policy pertaining to the foreign affairs last week since Pakistan cannot afford to pull along “Stereo Type” trends in the foreign relationship.
The sources revealed that Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan and India will be discussed on priority basis as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had an important and somewhat ‘useful’ meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kazakhstan capital Astana early this month. Ashraf Ghani could have another meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz next week in Tajikistan capital Dushanbe.
The recent indulgence of China in the situation of Afghanistan is described as an important breakthrough since the three countries have agreed to develop a trilateral mechanism for eradication and reporting of terrorism unprecedented before. Chinese Foreign Minister had whirlwind visit of Islamabad and Kabul for the purpose, the sources added. Pakistan views India’s piling up arsenal and unchecked nuclear activities as potential threat for the peace in the area as it has already unleashed reign of atrocities against the innocent people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) who are aspiring for their birthright of self-determination in accordance with the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) resolutions.
The high level meeting will discuss Kashmir dispute thoroughly and grave violations of the LOC by Indian occupying forces. The sources said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will provide the Foreign Office policy guideline in the backdrop of overall situation, the sources hinted. The marathon meeting in the Foreign Office would be major review of the external ties of the country in about a year although the prime minister has been holding the high level meetings on the subject time-to-time, the sources reminded.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk
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