Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz yesterday strongly dispelled the impression that the country had been isolated, claiming Pakistan was changing its foreign policy in view of the changes taking place in the region.
“Pakistan’s foreign policy has not failed at any stage.
Hard working and intelligent persons are serving the Foreign Office,” said the adviser to the PM, winding up debate on cut motions of the opposition concerning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Aziz, without naming anyone, said a former ambassador was continuously spreading a wrong impression about Pakistan.
He, despite facing interruption from the opposition benches, covered almost all the questions related to the foreign affairs raised by the opposition benches.
“In order to ensure the country’s national interests, Pakistan is pursuing a balanced policy,” he said and proudly shared the SCO membership was a proof of Pakistan’s successful foreign policy.
“We are protecting our nuclear arms,” he said adding after 9-11, Muslim countries suffered hostilities as successful foreign policies helped in securing Pakistan.
About Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, he said this project was heading towards the right direction smoothly.
“Our relations with Iran are on the right direction as we believe in peace in the region,” he said, terming the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, CASA-1000 and TAPI an achievement of the country.
About India, he said Pakistan had strong historical and cultural ties with Muslim countries and a few visits of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to some Muslim states would have no effect on our relations with them.
About Afghanistan, he said Pakistan was making efforts to maintain peace in Afghanistan and work on border management was continuing.
“Border management between the two countries was a must to check infiltration of terrorists and extremists,” he said, adding Pakistan was strictly following the policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.
Responding to criticism raised by the opposition, he said Pakistan was pursuing a modest and reasonable foreign policy with meagere resources.
About budgetary grants, he said the spending of the Foreign Ministry for the year 2016-17 was Rs 15 billion against India’s Rs 115 billion.
About appointment of foreign minister, he said the adviser to the prime minister was watching foreign affairs according to the Constitution.
“Appointment of foreign minister is discretion of the PM,” he added.
The house approved four demands of grants for next financial year relating to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while rejected 108 motions moved by the opposition.
The opposition lawmakers strongly criticised foreign policy of Pakistan.
Taking part in the debate, PTI’s Shireen Mazari said there was much confusion in the foreign policy of the country.
She criticised the government for not adopting concrete and strong policy on drone attacks.
Mazari said there was a vacuum in civilian policy.
“You complain of military interference; when there is no foreign minister, such things will happen,” she said, referring to the COAS’ recent meeting in Germany.
She said Pakistan should have clear policy about Afghanistan issue.
She criticised Pakistan’s weak stance even after drone strikes.
She further said Pakistan should also clear its policy about India.
AML chief Sheikh Rashid said there was a need to expose funding of institutions running in the name of culture.
He said Pakistan should appoint a foreign minister.
Other opposition lawmakers, Sheikh Salahuddin, Jamshed Dasti, Imran Khattak and others also criticised the government for not appointing a foreign minister and having no clear stance on different foreign affairs.
They termed efforts the Foreign Office insufficient for getting membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group.
They demanded that foreign policy should be reviewed keeping in view the changes taking place in the region.
The house also approved 11 demands for grants for the next financial year relating to the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control.
As many as 395 cut motions moved by opposition members against these demands were rejected.
The opposition lawmaker also staged a walkout from the proceedings, saying Interior Minister Ch Nisar was not in the house.
Minister of State for Interior Balighur Rehman, concluding debate on cut motions of the ministry, said there was much improvement in security-related issues in the country.
” A counter-terrorism force is being raised to effectively deal with the menace,” he said, adding religious seminaries’ registration in Islamabad and Punjab had been completed, while 80 percent madaris in Sindh; 75 percent in KP and 60 percent in Balochistan had been registered.
Speaking on the Interior Ministry’s cut motions, the opposition members strongly criticised the government for not maintaining law and order situation in the country.
The house also approved 19 demands for grants for the next financial year relating to the Ministry of Water and Power.
The house witnessed furore on the remarks of State Minister Abid Sher Ali.
As Opposition Leader Khurshid Shah intervened and asked the state minister to tender apology otherwise the opposition would not allow the house to function in a smooth way.
Abid Sher Ali, before winding up his speech, tendered apology on his remarks which had offended the opposition members.
He categorically announced to end loadshedding f by March 2018 with the incumbent government’s effective policy.
He criticised the previous government’s policies.
He said work on Dasu, Diamir and other dams was in progress with full pace.
“This government has always built dams in the country,” he added.
Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Bosan expressed the confidence that incentives offered in the budget would help decrease cost of production in agriculture.
Earlier, the speaker once again talked about the watch of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
The house witnessed interesting remarks offered by Jamshed Dasti and Ishaq Dar.
“I think scores should be settled, so I give this watch to my colleague, Jamshed Dasti, who assumed its price around millions,” said Dar.
Dasti said someone was ready to buy it for Rs 300,000.
“I came to know about its price from PML-N members,” he said, adding the watch had been changed.
The Nation
Source:http://nation.com.pk/national/22-Jun-2016/foreign-policy-being-changed-aziz
