FM Qureshi says govt decides to appoint new ambassadors in US, UK

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday said that the government has decided to appoint new ambassadors in the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, he said that Nafees Zakaria who is currently serving as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia will be posted to London as Pakistan s High Commissioner, while Asad Majeed Khan will be posted to Washington as Pakistan s Ambassador.

The minister said that Raza Sher Tarar will be appointed Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Canada and Raja Ali Ijaz was being posted as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Saudi Arabia.

Referring to Pakistan s foreign policy, Qureshi said that Pakistan is pursuing its policy with other countries based on mutual benefits and national interest, adding that in order to make foreign policy stronger and robust, it has been decided to appoint professional diplomats in key foreign capitals.

Regarding Prime Minister s forthcoming visit to China, the minister said that Imran Khan will meet senior Chinese leaders besides participating and delivering a keynote address at international expo.

Qureshi went on to say that the visiting high-level UAE delegation that called on him today showed interest in investing in different sectors of Pakistan, adding that the UAE delegation also included representatives of Emaar, the leading housing company of UAE.

“Pakistan and UAE have agreed to enhance bilateral relations, including trade and investment, for the mutual benefit of both the countries,” he said and added Pakistani side talked about increasing exports of rice, fruit and vegetables to UAE.

He said: “Pakistan also discussed with the UAE delegation its requirement of oil on deferred payment on lines of the recent agreement with Saudi Arabia. The minister said we want to benefit from the experience of UAE in water desalination as they have immense experience in this sector.”

He said Emirati delegation expressed interest in setting up a state of the art LNG terminal in Pakistan.