ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif has categorically stated that Pakistan will not take any dictation from any power or country vis-à-vis its role in the region but this will be guided by the national interests.
Responding to the questions of members in National Assembly on Thursday, he said Pakistan will continue its efforts to achieve peace both on its eastern and western borders.
He regretted that in the past national interests were compromised but over the last three and four years, we have remained successful to align our role to the national interests. He said despite playing the role of facilitator for the US for so long, Pakistan over the past few months has got nothing but accusations in return.
The Foreign Minister said that a meeting of the parliamentary committee on national security chaired by the speaker is expected to be held on the 1st of next month to discuss the situation arising out of the US President Donald Trump’s tweet.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan believes that peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan. He said the only solution to Afghan conflict lies in a politically negotiated settlement that is owned and led by Afghans.
Parliamentary secretary for Commerce and Textile Shaza Fatima said that exports have witnessed an increase of about 11 percent in the first six month of fiscal year. She expressed the confidence that the incentives given by the government to the exporters will further bolster exports in the years to come.
She however admitted that Pakistani exports are facing many challenges like low market diversification and lack of introduction of modern technology by the business community.
She said the government is taking various measures to reduce the cost of production and enhance competitiveness of Pakistani products in the international markets.