ISLAMABAD – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi expressed that world haschanged in political dynamics and Pakistan was no longer ‘darling’ of theWest.
Briefing the media after PM Imran Khan’s visit to the Foreign Office,Qureshi said, “Peace and stability in the region is vital for us.”
He said Pakistan will be represented effectively in the world, adding thatall the state institutions of Pakistan are on the same page.
“We do not want Pakistan’s name on the Black List,” asserted Shah MehmoodQureshi.
Commenting on US State Department’s readout on the phone call between PMImran Khan and Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, Qureshi said it was‘contrary to fact’.
He said Chinese foreign minister will visit Pakistan on the 8th or 9th ofSeptember.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan received a letter from Indian FO, addingthat Prime Minister Imran Khan has clearly indicated that if India takesone step forward we will reciprocate by two.
Qureshi said that as per the directives issued by the Prime Minister on theausterity drive, he has decided to not stay in the 5-star hotels duringforeign official trips.
“I will try to stay in our embassies wherever possible. The foreignminister has the legal authority to travel first class but I will not dothis and will prefer business class travel. We will try to avoid bigdelegations have limited entourage,” he said.
The foreign minister said that in view of curtailing unnecessary travelabroad, no minister or secretary will be allowed to travel abroad withoutthe permission of the prime minister.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan doesn’t want aconfrontation with any country and that there would be no compromise onnational interests.