Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Monday that Pakistan had successfully re-established itself as a respected voice in regional and international forums due to the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel.
Addressing a seminar in Islamabad, Kh Asif said through the prime minister’s sustained diplomatic outreach, Pakistan has successfully re-established itself as a respected voice in regional and international forums, from the United Nations and SCO to OIC and the World Economic Forum.
He said the government’s current diplomacy reflected a confident and forward-looking Pakistan that engaged constructively, built bridges and believed in the power of partnerships.
These achievements reaffirm a simple truth. When guided by clarity of purpose, coherence of policy and continuity of engagement, Pakistan’s diplomacy becomes its strongest national asset. Ladies and gentlemen, our journey of diplomacy is far from over. The progress we have made is both tangible and inspiring.
Kh Asif added that at the core of Pakistan’s renewed diplomatic activism lay economic diplomacy, guided by the prime minister’s “vision of transforming foreign knowledge. The defence minister also lauded the vital role of Pakistan’s ambassadors in diplomatic missions abroad.
Reiterating the foreign policy successes, he said relations with Saudi Arabia had entered a new era of mutual confidence and economic cooperation after the prime minister’s recent engagements reinvigorated strategic cooperation and opened pathways to multi-billion dollar investments in diverse sectors.
He said relations with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates had also deepened, adding that both had expressed interest in expanding their economic footprint in Pakistan.
With the United States, Asif said Pakistan continues to build a broad-based and balanced partnership, adding that recent diplomatic engagements emphasised cooperation in trade, technology, climate resilience and counter-terrorism. The relationship with China, he said, remained an anchor of regional peace and prosperity.
Kh Asif further said the deepening cooperation with China symbolised a shared vision for connectivity and inclusive growth.