ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s foreign policy has witnessed remarkable vigor duringthe last one year, improving engagement with world and raising thecountry’s profile in the comity of nations.
Foreign Office spokesperson Dr. Mohammad Faisal while recounting thesignificant achievements on the foreign policy front during the first oneyear of PTI-led government said Naya Pakistan engaged the world withconfidence and clarity with Prime Minister personally meeting several worldleaders.
The policy pursued vision of “peaceful neighborhood” based on principlesand core interests. Resultantly, Pakistan has improved its image andstanding, enhanced regional and global salience, increased investmentflows, and energized the Diaspora.
The foreign policy strengthened “All Weather Strategic CooperativePartnership” with China marked by closer engagement and deeper convergenceand consequently phase-II of China Pakistan Economic Corridor and FreeTrade Agreement-II were concluded.
It focused on forging stronger economic partnerships with Gulf countries,especially, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar yielding in multi-billion dollarinvestments, budgetary support and deferred oil payments.
A key development was made with new phase in relations with the UnitedStates based on convergent interests and better appreciation of Pakistan’srole in the region.
President Trump’s offer of mediation on Jammu and Kashmir dispute isimportant.
The external policy achieved positive re-engagement with Afghanistan atSummit level and supported peace process as shared responsibility andcontinued reconstruction assistance.
It followed constructive approach towards India with offer of structureddialogue, stress on peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
The foreign policy forcefully advocated Jammu and Kashmir dispute at allavailable forums, including the OIC, the UN, and the European and BritishParliaments.
The policy strongly opposed India’s unilateral and illegal actions to alterthe disputed status of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir and its demographicstructure.
The foreign policy in the period under review finalized “StrategicEngagement Plan” with the European Union, besides improving trajectory ofrelations with Russia, Europe and Central Asian partners.
It played a leading role in combating Islamophobia, white collar crime andclimate change with effective participation at UN, OIC, SCO and othermultilateral forums.