By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan will be holding talks with the US on long term relations on March 24.
Talking to a private news channel he said that “we have decided to advance the dialogue process keeping our future strategic interests in view including security, counter terrorism, economic development.”
“We have prepared a concept paper and we are going to hold a broad, long term, sustainable strategic dialogue,” he added.
To a question, he said that Economic Development Agenda is our top priority as if we cannot realize our economic growth potential which is almost 7-8 percent per year.
He said government prepared a nine point economic stabilization program that has been endorsed by the IMF and we are moving to realize our friends that the regional stability is very necessary for economic stability in the region and our country.
Energy crisis have not emerged in two years but government is looking for investment in energy sector to control load shedding.
He said government is also holding talks with Europe and the US for market access and we want to increase trade to decrease trade deficit. To a question, he said that Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh has been appointed as Advisor to Prime Minister for Finance and he would accompany with us on the visit.
He said that the developing goodwill gestures in the US has the foundation of last 18 months’ performance. Since the present government came to power it gave a political ownership to the efforts against terrorism and it achieved people support in this respect.
In consultation with different stakeholders the efforts directed towards achieving the goals. Strategy of three D’s was introduced and successful military operations were launched.
Minister said that these efforts paved the way for an impression that Pakistan government, political leadership, people and army have urged to save the country from Talibanization.
To another question he said that Obama Administration has reviewed its policy and introduced a comprehensive strategy with the comprehensive strategy including development, political dialogue, reconciliation to support military surge with civilian surge.
There is fundamental difference in the past and present government is democratically elected government, vibrant civil society, free judiciary and media and the world values all these things, he added.