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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Monday that Pakistan remains committed to developing a broad and balanced partnership with the US. He was speaking at a seminar, &ldquo;Diplomatic successes of Pakistan,&rdquo; organized in the capital, Islamabad.&nbsp; The defense minister presented an overview of the country&rsquo;s foreign policy and its ties with Pakistan&rsquo;s major partners.&nbsp; &ldquo;With Saudi Arabia, our relations have entered a new era of mutual confidence and economic collaboration,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp; &ldquo;The prime minister&rsquo;s recent engagements with Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s leadership have reinvigorated strategic cooperation and opened pathways for multibillion-dollar investment in energy, mining, and infrastructure.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;Our relationship with the UAE and Qatar has also deepened remarkably; both countries have expressed strong interest in expanding their economic footprint in Pakistan, for renewable energy, ports to information technology, and agriculture,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to regional stability and economic interdependence.&rdquo;&nbsp; The defense minister said: &ldquo;With the US, Pakistan continues to build a broad-based and balanced partnership.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;Our recent diplomatic engagements have emphasized cooperation in trade, technology, climate resilience, and counterterrorism ....&nbsp;Reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s constructive role as a bridge between regions and interests.&quot; Partnership with China&ldquo;Our all-weather strategic partnership with China remains an anchor of regional peace and prosperity,&rdquo; said Asif.&nbsp; &ldquo;The prime minister&rsquo;s interactions with Chinese leadership have reaffirmed both sides&#39; resolve to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor into new domains, including agriculture, information technology, and renewable energy.&rdquo; &ldquo;This deepening cooperation symbolizes a shared vision for connectivity and inclusive growth,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp; Outreach to Central Asia&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s outreach to central Asian republics, particularly, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, represents another milestone in our diplomacy.&rdquo; &ldquo;Through active engagement, the prime minister has advanced Pakistan&rsquo;s role as a gateway for trade and energy transit between central and south Asia.&rdquo; &ldquo;Projects like CASA-1000, TAPI, and the proposed Trans-Afghan Railway underscore our commitment to regional connectivity, economic integration, and shared prosperity,&rdquo; said Asif. Ties with the Muslim world&nbsp;&ldquo;In the broader Muslim world, Pakistan has actively sought to revitalize ties with Iran, Turkey, and Egypt,&rdquo; said the defense minister. &ldquo;These engagements are grounded in shared faith, mutual respect, and collective aspirations for peace and development.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;Our deepening cooperation with the &nbsp;Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) further amplifies Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic voice on issues such as Islamophobia, Palestinian rights, and humanitarian relief in Gaza and Afghanistan,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp; &lsquo;Economic diplomacy&rsquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;At the heart of Pakistan&rsquo;s renewed diplomatic activism lies economic diplomacy, guided by the prime minister&rsquo;s vision of transforming foreign relations into economic opportunities,&rdquo; said the defense minister.&nbsp; &ldquo;Pakistan has sought to attract investments, enhance exports, and promote development-oriented partnerships.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;Recent high-level visits have now only revitalized traditional friendships but also restored global confidence in Pakistan&rsquo;s stability and economic potential,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp; &ldquo;Major partners now view Pakistan as a country focused on reform, growth, and responsible engagement in an interconnected world.&rdquo;&nbsp; &lsquo;Forward-looking Pakistan&rsquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Our diplomacy today reflects a forward-looking Pakistan, one that engages constructively, builds bridges, and believes in the power of partnerships,&rdquo; said Asif.&nbsp; &ldquo;Through the prime minister&rsquo;s sustained diplomatic outreach, Pakistan has successfully reestablished itself as a respected voice in regional and international forums from the United Nations and SCO to OIC and World Economic Forum,&rdquo; he added.

Foreign Affairs

Says, ‘At the heart of Pakistan’s renewed diplomatic activism lies economic diplomacy guided by … a vision of transforming foreign relations into economic opportunities;’ ‘Pakistan has sought to attract investments, enhance exports, and promote development-oriented partnerships.’ 

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Pakistan pursuing balanced, broad-based ties with US: defense minister

Pakistan pursuing balanced, broad-based ties with US: defense minister