Pakistani envoys conference culminates with new foreign policy narrative

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday said a new foreign policy narrative has been evolved and this would be finalized after input by the National Security Committee and the Parliament.

“Pakistan has to determine a new but correct direction in the backdrop of emerging alliances,” he said while briefing newsmen about deliberations of three-day conference of Pakistani envoys in Islamabad.

He said the new narrative was aimed at bridging the gap in the perception of Pakistan and some members of the international community on the issue of fighting terrorism.

Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan was the only country winning the war against terrorism. He said today Karachi, Waziristan, Khyber and Bajaur were peaceful and the situation was constantly improving.

He said the envoys had in depth discussions on the new policy of the United States for South Asia and Pakistan’s relations with neighboring countries, especially India.

The minister said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States briefed the participants on the US policy, which helped crystallize many issues.  Similarly, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India also briefed the conference about Pakistan-India relations, he added.

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He said during his visit to China and Iran and on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly session meetings, Pakistan’s role in the war against terror would be highlighted.

“Kashmir issue will also be highlighted at the UNGA session address by the prime minister and on the sideline meetings,” he said.

To a query, Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that Pakistan’s relations with India revolved around Kashmir issue.

To a question, he said that Pakistan was ready to play any role for removing the differences between two brotherly countries Iran and Saudi Arabia.

To a question about the issue of Rohingya Muslims, the foreign minister said that the issue will be discussed during the forthcoming conference of Organization of the Islamic Cooperation to be attended by the president of Pakistan.