Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz urged Pakistani ambassadors and envoys abroad to build soft image of the country and protect national interests in the comity of nations.

He was addressing the opening session of three-day Envoys’ Conference here on Monday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nine envoys of Pakistan to various capitals and multilateral institutions participated in the conference.

Envoys who attended the conference are Jalil Abbas Jilani, Pakistani Ambassador to US, Maleeha Lodhi Permanent Representative to UN, Masood Khalid Ambassador to China, Abdul Basit High Commissioner to India, Ayesha Riyaz Ambassador to Austria, Naghmana Hashmi Ambassador to Belgium and European Union, Abrar Hussain Ambassador to Afghanistan, Tehmina Janjua Ambassador to UN at Geneva and Qazi M. Khalil Ullah Ambassador to Russia.

Sources informed Daily Times that Aziz, in his opening remarks stressed upon Pakistani Ambassadors and envoys to raise the issue of Indian atrocities by use of brutal force by Indian army, and human rights violations in Indian held Kashmir.

The agenda of the conference includes addressing relationship with India especially in the perspective of recent uprising in Kashmir. Pakistan’s relations with US, Afghanistan, China, Russia and European Union, issues relating to Pakistan’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), upcoming SAARC Summit, which will be held in held in Pakistan in November will also be discussed during the conference, sources revealed.

The Envoys’ Conference is a regular feature in which Pakistan’s representatives in various regions brief the government on important developments in their respective areas. The moot would also discuss the challenges and opportunities arising out of international developments, which would be helpful in forming foreign policy.

The envoys will also present their recommendations towards existing foreign policy with a view to review, adapt and recalibrate policy in accordance with the prevalent strategic, political and economic trends. Last year’s Envoys’ Conference had focused on connectivity, and regional issues and developments. Sources informed that Pakistan want to establish better relationship and more defense ties with China and Russia especially after American tilt towards India.

During the conference foreign policy’s successes and failures would also be discussed in the detail. ISI and military officials also briefed the conference.

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, will address the concluding session in which he will share his vision of foreign policy. He will be briefed on outcome of the meeting.