Pro-Pakistan foreign policy being pursued: FM

A pro-Pakistan foreign policy is being pursued by the country. This was stated by Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, on Tuesday in Karachi. He was talking to media after offering condolences to Ameer Singh on the demise of his father Rana Chandar Singh, a veteran politician and former minister. Our policy is pro-Pakistan. It is neither pro-American nor anti-American, Qureshi remarked while replying to a question.He said, every country has its own interests to safeguard. Pakistan will protect its own interests which we are doing.Qureshi said the US Congress which in the past pointed finger at Pakistan, was today passing unanimous resolutions in favor of our country. He said today the United States was talking of extending economic assistance to Pakistan and also referring to the commitment to our countrys democracy besides investment in social sector including education, health and poverty alleviation.The minister said the atmosphere has changed and in this scenario we would have to see how we can safeguard the interests of Pakistan.I will tell the nation that the interests of Pakistan are safe, he assured. To a question pertaining to the US assistance to Pakistan, Qureshi said our desire would be that the maximum amount should be channeled through national institutions in order to keep the cost down.To a question regarding the visa issue reported by the press, Qureshi said the matter with the US had been resolved.He further stated that Pakistan was keen to have good relations with the United States which values Pakistans partnership and referred to a statement of Gen. McChrystal appeared in the media on Tuesday, and added that it was clear and what the General had stated: We are interested in a partnership. Qureshi further remarked that they were beginning to understand what Pakistan had been saying for so many years.The minister said the successful strategy adopted by Pakistan was being recognized.He stated that presently if there was a success story in counter-terrorism, Pakistan was a role model.Qureshi pointed out that it was also being recognized that the present government with the help of people and the armed forces had not only morphed the public opinion in Pakistan but the terrorists were also on the run. To a question, he described the recent remarks of Indian army chief Gen. Kapoor as an irresponsible statement. He said he did not think that it was reflective of the thinking of the Indian government. The governments thinking was reflected by the statement of Indian prime minister at Sharm el Shaikh that dialogue was the only way forward.He said Pakistan was also supportive of the dialogue and in view of that there was a lot of potential of peace talks moving ahead.Qureshi asked the Indian leadership to exhibit the resolve and political will in this regard. Regarding the case of Dr. Afia Siddiqui, Qureshi said the government had been making serious efforts in this regard.