Foreign Minister Khar lashes out India in her last presser

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Thursday acknowledged that there were disappointments vis-a-vis relations with India including unfortunate and hostile statements that emanated from that country on cross-LoC incidents.

Speaking at her last press conference as Foreign Minister, she said Pakistan wants resolution of Kashmir dispute but pointed out that there was not required level of trust at the moment for resolution of the issue through dialogue.

She highlighted her government’s diplomatic success in five years and said Pakistan faced pursued a proactive foreign policy focusing on region and taking decisions purely in national interests.

She gave an overview of the challenges confronted in the domain of foreign policy during the last five years and how they were dealt with and converted into major opportunities.

The Minister said the foreign policy was driven by confidence rather than fear and the Parliament provided guidelines for intensive engagement with the world.

She said the priority of the foreign policy has been to provide peaceful and stable regional environment so that people could concentrate not on borders, disputes and animosity but on internal growth and stability.

In the regional context, the Foreign Minister said China has been our strategic ally and the present Government focused on transferring politically strong relations into economically strong ties. In this regard, she particularly referred to historic Gwadar Port agreement, Chinese investment in energy and infrastructure projects and President Asif Ali Zardari’s nine visits to China.

About India, she said, the leadership decided to start investing in friendship and trust building instead of traditional hostility and animosity that the two countries witnessed in the past. She said many steps including improvement of trade relations were taken to build trust.

The Foreign Minister said the democratic government demonstrated its commitment to have relations with Afghanistan on the basis of sovereign equality.  “We aspire for no role in Afghanistan than to facilitate Afghan people on the course chosen by them for peace and reconciliation”.

To a question she said on the desire of Pakistan, Afghanistan conveyed in black and white that it wanted cooperation of Pakistan in direct talks with Taliban, holding of Ulema conference, safe passage for Taliban that wish to travel for peaceful purpose and release of all Taliban prisoners. She said Pakistan accepted all the demands and started responding positively immediately.

She said relations with Iran are extremely important for Pakistan and the recent launch of IP will be a harbinger of good news for peace and cooperation.

The Minister also referred to initiation of strategic dialogue with GCC countries and focus on improving economic ties with the Russian Federation.

She hoped that the European Union would grant GSP Plus status to Pakistan in the beginning of next year, which will give a boost to the exports of the country.

About United States, she said, Pakistan’s engagement is guided by the Parliament and is based on mutual respect.  The two countries recognize each other’s importance and have a complete alignment of interests in Afghanistan.

To a question she said Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project is in Pakistan’s national interests and should not be portrayed as against any country.

She told a questioner that drone strikes continue to be a point of major divergence between Pakistan and the United States as Pakistan considers them illegal and unlawful.

Replying to another question she said military has no constitutional role in foreign policy but like other organizations and institutions, army too is consulted for its input on issues relating to security and defence.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=39033

Posted by Tahir Khan on Mar 14 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.