Missions to focus on economic diplomacy

ISLAMABAD (APP) - Pakistan foreign missions abroad need to concentrate more on 'economic diplomacy' an developing country-to-country relationship, said Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir. Salman Bashir who assumed his new responsibilities on Saturday, said that Pakistan, being a developing country has to work more aggressively deepening economic ties with its friendly countries. "The present government has already set up a task force to suggest ways and means strengthening 'economic diplomacy', aimed at making the foreign policy different from the past where it was focused on the geo-political situation alone. Talking to APP on his arrival from Beijing after serving as country's ambassador, he said, Pakistan's foreign policy should be geared more towards the economic uplift of the people. He said, "I truly feel that foreign service and the foreign missions abroad are great national asset that they have the potential to meet the national aspirations. I feel it my great honour to return home an the capacity of foreign secretary." I pray and wish that Allah Almighty guide and help me to fulfil my new  responsibilities in promoting the role of foreign service in the  best national interest," he added. He expressed the resolve making all possible efforts matching the expectations of the government and people and fulfil the confidence reposed in him to serve the national interests and to build a better national image abroad.

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