ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday decided to recalibrate its foreign policy framework to put more focus to the countries of the region.
A meeting of the National Security Committee also agreed to launch new initiatives to enhance economic partnerships with friendly countries in the region and beyond for a win-win cooperation.
The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to review the current international and regional situation was attended by ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Interior and Finance, besides Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman and the three services chiefs.
“The committee agreed that Pakistan will continue its fight against terrorism and extremism in the interest of its people. Our policies will continue to be formulated and implemented in light of our national interests,” a press statement issued after the meeting stated.
“The committee reaffirmed Pakistan’s abiding interest in lasting peace in Afghanistan. It stressed the importance of peace among the Afghan people through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned national peace and reconciliation process. It underscored the need for consistent and continued engagement with Afghanistan,” the statement said. The importance of effective border management as well as time-bound repatriation of Afghan refugees to Afghanistan in a dignified manner was also emphasised at the meeting.
The committee condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by India along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary. The committee observed that through consistent ceasefire violations, the Indian government was trying to divert the attention of the international community from the blatant human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir. “India must give priority to peace,” it demanded.
The committee also reiterated the significance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the benefits it brings to the development of Pakistan as well as the region and beyond. The participants agreed on further strengthening the CPEC cooperation as the flagship program of Belt and Road Initiative. The committee was briefed on the current international and regional situation, particularly relations with the regional countries. The foreign minister briefed the committee on his recent visit to Russia and recalled the desire of the two countries to further strengthen bilateral relations in all areas.
Published in Daily Times, February 28th 2018.
