ISLAMABAD, SEP 8 (DNA) – Pakistan’s Former Ambassador to the United Nations, Maleeha Lodhi has said that Pakistan’s ties with China are strategic, historic and pivotal to the country’s foreign policy.
This was stated in a webinar titled ‘Multidimensional challenges to the Foreign Policy Pakistan: A way forward’,
organized by Muslim Youth University (MYU), International Relations department.
The former envoy said that Pakistan faces daunting foreign policy challenges in a turbulent global and regional environment. Rising tensions between the US and China have a direct bearing on Pakistan. Lodhi further added that CPEC is emblematic of China’s aim to strengthen Pakistan, economically and strategically and must be our overriding priority.
On Afghanistan, she said, “Pakistan should extend whatever assistance it can to the much-delayed peace process. Islamabad should also think of a long-term policy and prepare for different scenarios that might emerge in Afghanistan.”
While discussing the UAE-Israel peace agreement, she said that the deal was betrayal of the Palestinian cause. Pakistan has always stood for two-state nations. She also said that the military use of new technology creates new challenges. On the Kashmir issue, Lodhi said, “Pakistan needs consistency and we need to keep highlighting the Kashmir issue. Pakistan can use the United Nation Security Council platform in which Pakistan needs 16 states’ votes to call the session. Lodhi also stressed the need to develop economic ties with countries such as Africa.
Dr Syed Rifaat Hussain, while providing an overview of the changing international strategic environment and imperatives of Pakistan foreign policy stated that the foreign policy should be a priority for the government and also try to manage better relations with neighboring states.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Vice Chancellor Muslim Youth University Dr Syed Tahir Hijazi welcomed the distinguished speakers while laying out the agenda for the discussion.
In his concluding remarks Dr Muhammad Munir, Head of Department, International Relations thanked the speakers for sharing their views and experiences.
The participants of the webinar included over 100 participants from the civil society, media professionals, academia, international organizations and students. =DNA
