FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi outlines PTI government foreign policy priorities

FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi outlines PTI government foreign policy priorities

ISLAMABAD - Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said the PTI government will make all out efforts to get Pakistan out of Financial Action Task Force grey list.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad this afternoon, he said he would not at all like that Pakistan is placed on the black list. He said the government will take every measure on this count.

Foreign Minister said peace in the region is in the best interest of Pakistan and we want to see complete peace in Afghanistan.

He said the US State Department statement after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's telephone call to Prime Minister Imran Khan was not based on reality. Qureshi said Mike Pompeo is expected to visit Pakistan in the first week of September.

He said Pakistan's attitude on the foreign policy front is not, and will not be apologetic and we will safeguard our interests.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said regional peace is a top priority of our foreign policy and positive indications have been received from Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in this regard.

He said peace in Afghanistan is perquisite for peace in the entire region and Pakistan wants a peaceful Afghanistan. He said we also want good relations with the United States based on mutual respect.

The Foreign Minister said that Pak-India relations are victim of delay and both the countries will have to look into the prospects that how they can move forward. He said dialogue is the only way forward to resolve all the outstanding issue between the two countries.

He said Iran is our neighbour and Pakistan is desirous of peaceful and stable border with Iran. He said the foreign minister of Iran expressed his desire to visit Pakistan and we will warmly welcome him.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pak-China everlasting friendship is unprecedented. He said that his Chinese counterpart also showed his willingness to visit Pakistan very soon. He said his visit will further expand the existing ties between the two countries.

He said SAARC is an important forum to promote regional cooperation. He said oversees Pakistanis are our great asset and they should create a suitable environment at the international level.