Seminar on “Foreign Policy of Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities”

Pakistan’s foreign policy revolves around three broadly defined objectives that are peace, development and promoting Islamic unity, Foreign Office Spokesperson Abdul Basit said here on Tuesday.

Addressing a seminar on “Foreign Policy of Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities”, jointly organized by Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) and Alumni Association and Department of International Relations (QAU), he said Pakistan is trying to normalize relations with neighboring countries and develop bonds with major organizations like European Union (EU), Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and ASEAN.

He said our foreign policy like all other countries is governed by different variables, like geography, political system, culture, human and natural resources.

Explaining factors which usually influence Pakistan’s foreign policy, he said internally political instability and economic issues, and then there are some regional and global issues ranging from non-proliferation to counter terrorism that have a deep impact on formulation of foreign policy.

“Pakistan is a country of one hundred and seventy million population facing enormous challenges whether its security or economic front but at the same time it has also huge potential in every sphere of life,” he said.

The foreign office spokesperson said democracy, robust and vibrant media, growing civil society, women empowerment and independent judiciary are all positive signs and would certainly help country move in the right direction.

QAU Vice Chancellor Dr. Masoom Yasinzai thanked the foreign office spokespersont for providing students with such a wonderful opportunity to learn about his experience.

Dr. Naveed-e-Rahat , dean of Social Sciences, Sikandar Ahmed Rai, president of QAU Alumni Association, Asif Noor, chief coordinator of QAU Alumni Association, Dr. Lubna Abid, chairperson of Department of International Relations and other senior faculty membsers were also present on the occasion.