While focusing on domestic issues of urgent nature, the Prime Minister is well aware of the need to simultaneously attend to the country’s regional compulsions for which he decided to visit some of the important countries. The uncalled for criticism is in total disregard to the gains made during the visit, where does the PM find himself?
Talking about the Prime Minister’s visits abroad, first and foremost, he was extremely perturbed over the isolation that Pakistan was facing on the international front. Pakistan was often referred to as a trouble spot country and as such considered unattractive for any economic cooperation or investment. This injurious perception to the well being of Pakistan needed immediate redressal and the Prime Minster embarked on an arduous task of reviving and strengthening relations with important countries to regain their confidence in the country’s ability to deal with crisis situations and thereby attract foreign investment.
In his quest for foreign cooperation, he chose the most trusted friend of Pakistan to visit first. His visit to China was therefore a very practical and wise step which resulted in a number of agreements, particularly in the energy sector. The most important outcome of this visit was signing of agreement on the construction of an economic corridor from Khunjerab to Gawadar which will prove as a “game changer” in the region.
Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia and Turkey provided him an opportunity to apprise our trusted friends about the problems faced by Pakistan in economic spheres.
Pakistan sought help from Turkey on the issue of militancy, with emphasis in the field of cybercrime. Turkey’s assistance in the field of low-cost housing has also been welcomed.
The Prime Minister visited New York to attend 68th session of the UN general Assembly, wherein he successfully pleaded Pakistan’s case.
Also the purpose of the visit to Washington DC was to re-establish and revive Pakistan’s ties with the United States of America which had suffered setbacks in the past due to unfortunate incidents leading to mistrust and straining of relations between the two countries.
After the Prime Minister visited Colombo to participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2013), he visited Bangkok to participate in “Connect Asia Pacific Summit” held in Bangkok, where he invited foreign investment to the upcoming spectrum auction for next generation mobile services and establishment of tech parks in the country to harness the huge potential in the area.
The Premier should be given the credit that he has used foreign visits not just to forge alliances with important countries but also to enter into economic accords that have provided the much needed stimulus to the country’s ailing economy.
On the domestic front the way the PM managed to hold an All Parties Conference where he got an overwhelming and unanimous mandate to deal with problem of terrorism that has disturbed the peace of the country for more than a decade, has been commended by all.
The Prime Minster has certainly not been oblivious of the vital issues at home and has travelled to all parts of the country where ever he felt the need to do so. He visited all the four provinces to address the situation there. His steps have reassured the provinces to give them self confidence and sense of participation in the national affairs.
The Prime Minister should be judged by his resolve and the steps he has, so far, taken to address national issues. It is easy to play the game from the spectators end but to be at the crease and face the music is a different ball game altogether. The situation which has now developed is extremely sensitive as we not only need to have peace at home but also need to ensure cordial ties with neighbours in the region and other countries in this increasingly interdependent world. It is time to stand by our leadership to protect the nation’s interest, both at home and abroad.

The writer is a freelance columnist.