Islamabad: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has outlined his government`s foreign policy priorities of pursuing aggressive `economic diplomacy` and favouring a `peaceful neighbourhood`.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Sharif provided an outline of the priorities of the government on foreign policy to serve as basic guidelines for embassies/missions abroad, reports The Express Tribune.
The crippling energy crises figures high on the government`s foreign policy guidelines, as Sharif directed heads of missions abroad to identify potential bilateral and multilateral partners to help address the country`s energy woes through tangible project proposals in the traditional and renewable energy sectors.
He also directed them to aggressively pursue economic diplomacy and promotion of Pakistan`s interests in the realms of trade, foreign investment, and economic cooperation. Sharif noted that the government`s immediate attention was focused on the country`s neighbours. He said that unless the region is peaceful, the government`s efforts for growth and development would not be met successfully.
Sharif underscored the importance of developing a regional consensus on supporting a stable government in Afghanistan.
He affirmed that the policy of an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned process of peace and reconciliation will be pursued.
Regarding India, Sharif said there is a need to progressively pursue normalcy in bilateral relations, while actively seeking solutions to all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.
Sharif also said that Pakistan would continue to pursue `close cooperative relations` with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran.
He said Pakistan would strengthen strategic ties with China, a significant economic partner.
He also spoke of enhancing ties with Russia, which is an important partner and regional power.
He said the new government would develop a "comprehensive strategy and a national consensus" in consultation will all political parties, security forces, media and the civil society in dealing with growing threat of terrorism. ANI