Pakistan wants better ties with all neighbours: Aziz

Published December 27, 2013
Advisor to the Prime Minister on national security Sartaj Aziz. – File Photo
Advisor to the Prime Minister on national security Sartaj Aziz. – File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to the Prime Minister on national security Sartaj Aziz Thursday said that Pakistan wanted good relations with all its neighbours including India.

Addressing a seminar on “Rethinking National Security of Pakistan, challenges and opportunities” here at Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, he said Pakistan is engaged in devising a comprehensive national security policy to ensure friendly relations with neighbouring countries.

The advisor said there was no favourite of Pakistan in Afghanistan in its presidential elections being held next year.

Sartaj Aziz said the present government would review Pakistan's relations with the United States after the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.

He said uncertain situation in Afghanistan was a great challenge but Pakistan was committed to work sincerely for bringing peace in that country which was vital for overall progress of the region.

The senior diplomat said the government had been giving top priority to improve its relations with India, adding that positive developments took place in this regard during the last few months as a result of the efforts made by the incumbent government.

He said Pakistan was now focusing on foreign policy based on promoting trade and economic relations with other countries.

Aziz said under this policy the government was working round the clock to promote trade relations with European Union, Middle East and Russia.

Opinion

Budgeting without people

Budgeting without people

Even though the economy is a critical issue, discussions about it involve a select few who are not really interested in communicating with the people.

Editorial

Iranian tragedy
Updated 21 May, 2024

Iranian tragedy

Due to Iran’s regional and geopolitical influence, the world will be watching the power transition carefully.
Circular debt woes
21 May, 2024

Circular debt woes

THE alleged corruption and ineptitude of the country’s power bureaucracy is proving very costly. New official data...
Reproductive health
21 May, 2024

Reproductive health

IT is naïve to imagine that reproductive healthcare counts in Pakistan, where women from low-income groups and ...
Wheat price crash
Updated 20 May, 2024

Wheat price crash

What the government has done to Punjab’s smallholder wheat growers by staying out of the market amid crashing prices is deplorable.
Afghan corruption
20 May, 2024

Afghan corruption

AMONGST the reasons that the Afghan Taliban marched into Kabul in August 2021 without any resistance to speak of ...
Volleyball triumph
20 May, 2024

Volleyball triumph

IN the last week, while Pakistan’s cricket team savoured a come-from-behind T20 series victory against Ireland,...