RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was given a detailed briefing on Friday about recent developments in and around the country and the emerging global and regional scenario by Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, foreign secretary and other senior officials. The Prime Minister, who visited the Foreign Office along with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and other senior ministers of his cabinet reiterated that peaceful neighbourhood, and resolution of all disputes through talks is the top most priority of his government.

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s House, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the status of strategic partnership with China and the launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), reviving the strategic dialogue with the US, strong relations with Russia, major improvement in relations with Central Asia culminating in Pakistan’s membership of SCO.

He said these achievements were facilitated by significant gains made in fighting terrorism and in achieving the economic turnaround.

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, in her presentation, spoke about the challenges Pakistan is facing in key areas including Afghanistan, India and the US. She also briefed the Prime Minister about recent developments in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of securing peace and stability in the region through sustained dialogue and the importance Pakistan attaches to its continued partnership with the US.

In this context, he directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare initiatives on Afghanistan and also on building economic and trade linkages to promote Pakistan’s development.

The Prime Minister directed the ministry to proactively highlight the serious human rights violations being committed in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and the denial of the right to self-determination to Kashmiris.

In this regard, he expressed disappointment over complete silence in the US-India joint statement on the atrocities being committed by the Indian security forces against innocent Kashmiris.

Prime Minister Sharif appreciated China’s role towards improving Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. He also recalled his recent meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of SCO Summit and their agreement to evolve a bilateral and quadrilateral mechanism for controlling cross-border terrorism.

He emphasised the importance of highlighting the unmatched contributions and sacrifices made by Pakistan in fighting terrorism.

He particularly stressed that Pakistan should progressively end its reliance on foreign assistance and funding by developing and generating its own resources.

Emphasising the importance of providing efficient and economical consular services to the overseas Pakistanis, he directed the ministry to ensure that their services were duly provided in a befitting manner.

The Prime Minister also directed urgent steps to provide medical facilities across Pakistan at reasonable prices.

In this regard, he also directed that a volunteer roster of medical professionals from amongst overseas Pakistani doctors be developed to complement the existing human resource in Pakistan.

APP adds: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday while reiterating his priority for a peaceful neighbourhood and resolution of disputes through dialogue, directed that trade, investment and scientific collaboration, be the strategic pillars of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

A statement released by the PM’s Media Office said the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the status of strategic partnership with China and the launch of CPEC, reviving the strategic dialogue with the US, strong relations with Russia, major improvement in relations with Central Asia culminating in Pakistan’s membership of SCO.

The Prime Minister said these achievements were facilitated by significant gains made in fighting terrorism and in achieving the economic turnaround.

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, in her presentation dwelled on the challenges Pakistan was facing in key areas including Afghanistan, India and the US. She also briefed the Prime Minister on recent developments in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of securing peace and stability in the region through sustained dialogue and the importance Pakistan attached to its continued partnership with the United States.

In this context, he directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare initiatives on Afghanistan and also on building economic and trade linkages to promote Pakistan’s development.