Pakistan must swiftly change its direction: Asif

Keeping in view the current situation in the world and the region, Pakistan will have to swiftly "change its direction", the country's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has said.

"We are undergoing a seismic shift," Asif said at the Pakistani envoys' conference on Thursday, referring to the "altering" regional and international situation, Dawn online reported.

Envoys to some major countries and multilateral institutions participated in the three-day conference which deliberated on changes unfolding in the geopolitical environment.

Asif said that the geopolitical changes taking place in the world were unprecedented. "Perhaps, such changes were not even witnessed after the Second World War. New alignments have been made, strategic policies are dictating nations' interests," he said.

"We (Pakistan) have to review these situations pragmatically and take the right direction. We have to quickly adjust our direction," the Foreign Minister said.

The US policy on South Asia and Afghanistan was also discussed during the final session of the envoys conference.

The Minister said that there is a 50 to 60-year-long history behind the Washington policy and the regional situation "which is gradually unfolding".

"In my personal view, (in the course of this history), we have only incurred losses and haven't gained much," he said.

Asif said that in the coming days "there will be a policy shift in the country". The new policy will be formulated with the Army and the country's institutions and will keep Pakistan's interests in view.

The minister said that Pakistan's dependency on the US has been greatly reduced. However, he said, Pakistan's relationship with the US has not ended and future communications will be made keeping in view Pakistan's interests.

"Pakistan will cooperate with countries who recognise its sacrifices," the minister said.

--IANS

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