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PR. No.271/2008

Date: 10/09/2008    

PRESIDENT ZARDARI CHAIRS A BRIEFING SESSION IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE

The President of Pakistan, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, visited the Foreign Office today to chair a briefing session on foreign policy issues. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, also graced the occasion. The National Security Advisor, Mr. Mahmood Ali Durrani, also attended the briefing.

The Foreign Minister, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, welcomed the Hon’ble President and the Prime Minister to the Foreign Office to share their wisdom and vision on the key foreign policy challenges and opportunities facing Pakistan. On behalf of the Foreign Service of Pakistan, he felicitated Mr. Asif Ali Zardari on assuming the coveted office of the President of Pakistan. He stated that this represented the culmination of a long and arduous struggle of the Pakistan Peoples Party and the sacrifices of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The Foreign Minister stated that Pakistan’s foreign policy is shaped and underpinned by national security concerns and well being of the people of Pakistan. Within these parameters, our primary objective is to safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; promote political, economic and trade relations with other countries; and project a positive image of the country in the international community. The Foreign Minister stated that foreign policy formulation is a complex process which emanates from a consultative process involving various organs of the State. The Foreign Office plays a central role in synthesizing these inputs and evolves policy options for the political leadership.

The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Salman Bashir, made a detailed presentation on the key foreign policy issues. He noted that the Foreign Service of Pakistan was responsive to nation’s requirements, leadership’s direction and proactive in the discharge of its responsibilities. He assured the leadership that the Foreign Office would do its best to assist the government in drawing up foreign policy options and in implementing the decisions of the leadership. He said the Foreign Office will work towards the national development agenda of the government as a development institution in addition to its traditional role in the national security area.

The Prime Minister in his remarks stated that with the advent of full democracy in the country our foreign policy must truly reflect the aspirations and interests of the people of Pakistan. He said that it was time to raise Pakistan’s profile as a responsible and progressive member of the international community. He commended the role of the Foreign Ministry and stressed the need to strengthen professional competence of the officers of the Foreign Service of Pakistan.

The President of Pakistan in his address to the meeting stated that this briefing was among his very first engagements after assuming the office of the President. He said that this showed the importance that he attaches to Pakistan’s foreign policy and the role of the Foreign Office. The President stated that the completion of the democratic transition in Pakistan gives us a fresh identity and brings us back in the global mainstream. He said that in efforts to consolidate democracy, promote development and good governance, and counter terrorism, the national institutions must make their rightful contribution in the service of the people. The democratic transformation must result in institutional reform and renewal. He stated that diplomacy is one of the most important instruments of state policy. It must be geared not only for conflict prevention and resolution but also advance our trade and development agenda.

The President stated that the country was facing myriad challenges. He urged the Foreign Service officers to work with a strategic vision and professional commitment and help turn these challenges into opportunities. He said there were many opportunities, offered by today’s globalized world and we needed to seize them.  In this regard, he particularly stressed the importance of economic diplomacy, both to promote trade, commerce and foreign investments and to raise Pakistan’s profile on key regional and international economic issues. He urged the need to improve coordination between the Foreign Office and other relevant state institutions and the quality of interface with the private sector. He said that the expatriate Pakistani community, a great asset, must be creatively enlisted with a view to promoting investments in Pakistan. He said that the Foreign Office should act a catalyst in forging win-win partnerships at home and abroad.  

The President thanked the Foreign Minister and the Foreign Secretary for organizing this briefing session. He stated that he would like to continue such interactions and directed that regional envoys conferences be organized for better coordination and coherence of efforts.

Islamabad
10 September 2008