Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has outlined guidelines for modernizing the country’s Foreign Service, saying it should be equipped more with the skills and capacities to comprehend and adapt to the modern-day geopolitical and geoeconomic realities, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The foreign minister said that climate change had affected Pakistan badly.
Addressing the 42nd Special Diplomatic Course for the officers of Foreign Service of Pakistan at the Foreign Service Academy in Islamabad on Tuesday, Bilawal Bhutto said that the present government played an important role on the diplomatic front during floods. “And it is heartening to note that the world helped Pakistan in difficult circumstances,” Bilawal said, and claimed it was due to, what he called, his ‘successful’ foreign policy.
This institute has produced world class diplomats who contribute immensely to the global peace and security, serving with international organizations - Chairman PPP and FM @BBhuttoZardari at the Graduation Ceremony for FSP Officers at the Foreign Service Academy
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) February 14, 2023
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The FM went on to say that it was due to Pakistan’s efforts that a Fund was set up to combat the effects of the climate change. “The USA and China both helped us immensely during the recent floods,” he added.
He said Pakistan was confronting different crises in the region and the government is arduously working for the betterment of relations with all international partners.
The foreign minister said Pakistan’s foreign policy has been guided by national interests, pragmatism, constructive engagement and amicably managing divergences and maximizing commonalities of interests. He said the success of this policy is evident by the recently held Resilient Pakistan Conference in Geneva where China, the US, Islamic world and other countries expressed full support to Pakistan.
Referring to the changes taking place at the international level, Bilawal said this necessitates a foreign service equipped more with the skills and capacities to comprehend and adapt to the current-day geopolitical and geoeconomic realities.
The foreign minister said it was imperative to adopt new tools and technologies which could act as a force multiplier for shaping and disseminating narratives, identifying opportunities for economic linkages and markets for exports as well as improving services for Pakistanis residing abroad.
Bilawal said Pakistani diplomats are expected to be skilled navigators of electronic, print and social media in order to protect, promote and sustain national narratives. He said the diplomats have a great responsibility to enhance Pakistan's strategic space in the international arena.
He was confident that the Foreign Service Academy will continue to produce outstanding diplomats who will uphold the tradition of excellence in representing Pakistan on the global stage.