MFN status to India: Army seems to be in agreement with govt's move

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Friday consulted stakeholders, including the army, on issues pertaining to foreign policy including resumption of Islamabad-New Delhi dialogue process and grant of most-favoured nation (MFN) status to India.

According to Foreign Office, the session was part of the regular consultation process in which the Foreign Minister took input from all the stakeholders on key issues pertaining to the country's foreign policy including the resumed dialogue process with India. The meeting was held at the Foreign Ministry, which was attended by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence and high military officials.

Sources said the issue of granting India MFN status came under discussion and the foreign minister said that after federal cabinet had given its approval in principle to the move and also authorized Ministry of Commerce to pursue the forward-moving process of normalization, which would culminate in the observance of MFN status to India in its true spirit.

The participants were also briefed on the resumed dialogue process with India and it was agreed to resolve all issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir with India through a result-oriented and purposeful dialogue process.

They said the foreign minister gave a detailed briefing to the stakeholders pertaining to Islamabad's engagements with international and regional powers particularly her recent interaction with leaders of world powers on the occasion of Istanbul conference on Afghanistan.

They said she also told the participants that Pakistan was committed to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process. The sources said the participants expressed satisfaction over Islamabad's engagements with various regional powers and the United States.

According to Foreign Office, Foreign Minister Khar has been regularly interacting with all stakeholders on important foreign policy issues.