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Foreign ministers

Pakistan Seeks Improved Relations with Neighboring Countries

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stressed the need for Pakistan to improve its relations with its neighboring countries. Dar emphasized that Pakistan cannot change its neighbors, and improving relations with them is the key to regional stability. He specifically highlighted the need for better ties with Afghanistan, citing concerns over the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, which have been linked to recent attacks on Chinese workers in the country.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan's foreign policy focuses on high-level engagements with strategic, traditional, and regional partners, as well as multilateral organizations.
  • Pakistan seeks positive relations with Afghanistan but has concerns over the presence of TTP militants.
  • The recent attacks on Chinese workers in Pakistan are believed to have originated from Afghanistan.
  • Pakistan is demanding that Afghanistan expel the TTP to prevent further damage to bilateral relations.
  • Pakistan has missions in 120 countries around the world.
  • The late Iranian president visited Pakistan of his own accord, improving relations between the two countries.
  • Pakistan and China held the fifth round of strategic dialogue, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visiting China in June.
  • 23 memorandum of understandings (MoUs) were signed during the visit in various fields.
  • Polio cases are resurfacing in areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) due to cross-border movement from Afghanistan.

Statistics:

  • Pakistan has missions in 120 countries around the world.
  • 23 memorandum of understandings (MoUs) were signed between Pakistan and China in various fields during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to China in June.
  • Polio cases are resurfacing in areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) due to cross-border movement from Afghanistan.

Sources:

  • The Express Tribune
  • Dawn News (Note: Original link not provided, as per the instructions)

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