Pakistan's ambassador to the United nations Abdullah Hussain Haroon has said the government should reinforce its relations with the countries of Africa, South America and several islands who voted for Pakistan in the UN Security Council. Talking to the media on Monday, Haroon said in contrast with the western governments, the countries of those regions gave more support to Pakistan.
"We need to revitalise friendly and trade relations with them and also reciprocate by supporting these countries on the issues of their interest," he added. He said that many countries were renegotiating their relations while making trade and reciprocity as basis for future relations.
"If we didn't chalk out an effective policy in that regard we will definitely lag behind," he warned. The UN ambassador told that a resolution would be tabled in the Security Council against the drone attacks. Talking about the issue of Kashmir, he said the government of Pakistan continues to support the demands of people of Jammu Kashmir.
However, he added, the dynamics have changed from the past as the people now demand independence to become a sovereign country. "During the government of Pervez Musharraf, the Kashmir issue was taken to second and even third tracks of diplomacy," he said regretting that Musharraf gave less attention than what the issue required.
Haroon recalled how India helped Pakistan for the non-permanent UNSC membership. "The two countries have experimented that wars don't result in fruition. We will have to walk a peaceful and accommodating course," he underscored. Haroon reiterated the need for developing relations with the West, particularly the US, which were based on 'trade' and not 'aid'.