ISLAMABAD – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the PTI governmentwill make all out efforts to get Pakistan out of Financial Action TaskForce grey list. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad this afternoon,he said the government does not at all like that Pakistan is placed on theblack list. He said the government will take every measure on this count.
Foreign Minister said peace in the region is in the best interest ofPakistan and we want to see complete peace in Afghanistan.
He said the US State Department statement after US Secretary of State MikePompeo’s telephone call to Prime Minister Imran Khan was not based onreality. Qureshi said Mike Pompeo is expected to visit Pakistan in thefirst week of September. He said we want good relations with the UnitedStates based on mutual respect.
He said Pakistan’s attitude on the foreing policy front is not, and willnot be, apologetic and we will safeguard our interests with respect andhonour.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said regional peace is a top priority of our foreignpolicy and positive indications have been received from Afghan PresidentAshraf Ghani in this regard.
He said peace in Afghanistan is perquisite for peace in the entire regionand Pakistan wants a peaceful Afghanistan.
The Foreign Minister said that Pak-India relations are victim of delay andboth the countries will have to look into the prospects as to how they canmove forward. He said dialogue is the only way forward to resolve all theoutstanding issues between the two countries. He said Iran is our neighbourand Pakistan is desirous of peaceful and stable border with that country.He said the foreign minister of Iran expressed his desire to visit Pakistanand we will warmly welcome him.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pak-China everlasting friendship isunprecedented. He said that his Chinese counterpart also showed hiswillingness to visit Pakistan very soon. Qureshi said his visit willfurther expand the existing ties between the two countries.
The Foreign Minister said SAARC is an important forum to promote regionalcooperation. However, he regretted that SAARC could not deliver dueresults.He said oversees Pakistanis are our great asset and they shouldcreate a suitable environment and highlight soft image of Pakistaninternational level. Foreign Minister said political and economic centersof gravity are shifting and the world is again becoming unipolar tomultipolar. He said foreign policy should be framed according to the newneeds and requirements
The Foreign Minister stressed the need of initiating an inter-institutionsdialogue for strong and effective policies.
Regarding Pakistan-India relations, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said we want peaceand are not shy of engagement with New Delhi. He said talks are the onlyway forward, which currently are stalled. He said Kashmir is the core issuebetween Pakistan and India. He said the government will continue raisingPakistan’s point of view in an effective manner on all issues includingKashmir and water.
He said Islamabad needs to understand US compulsions and needs inAfghanistan and Washington should give importance and weightage toPakistan’s point of view.
Regarding China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the Foreign Minister said it isa good initiative and there is a need to get maximum benefit of it. He saidChina and Pakistan enjoy exemplary relationships and Chinese ForeignMinister is expected to visit Pakistan on 9th of the next month.
The Foreign Minister also emphasized on exploring markets of the EuropeanUnion and African countries to enhance trade and investment for Pakistan.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi urged media to play its effective role in image andnarrative building of the country. He said the media should highlightforeign policy issues in the best interest of Pakistan.
Regarding austerity drive of Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said the ForeignMinister will not stay in five star hotels during his visits abroad andwill prefer to stay in Pakistani missions.
He also announced not to travel by first class and to curtail largeentourage. He said it has been decided that no minister or secretary willundertake any foreign trip without permission of the Prime Minister.