*ISLAMABAD – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi reiterated his policy ofPakistan first.*
Speaking at the foreign ministry in Islamabad, he said his government’sgoal is to safeguard Pakistan’s interests, both in the country and abroad.
We need to change the way we approach issues, he said, adding that thispoint is in line with what Prime Minister Imran Khan said during hisaddress to the nation on Sunday night. Our thinking and approach will bedifferent this time and I want to see a difference in our actions, he said.
He reiterated the point that courtesy is important when dealing with otherpeople. “You never lose anything with courtesy. You gain friends,” saidQureshi.
“I know the challenges,” he said, adding that the ministry will have todeal with foreign and monetary challenges, to name a few. This is Qureshi’ssecond tenure as foreign minister – he first served on the post while hewas part of the PPP under former president Asif Ali Zardari.
As the PTI vice-chairperson I have had a small part in developing theparty’s ideology, 100-day programme and agenda and I will carry on withthat ideology, he said.
I know the foreign office has very competent officers, he said, explainingthat he will take guidance from them and consult with them at every step.
We have lots of people in different people in Islamabad who are experts indifferent fields, some of whom are even retired, said the foreign minister,adding that he will also consult them. He also mentioned bringing on boardthe academia and think tanks. This is the way forward, he told the mediapersons.