ISLAMABAD: Shehbaz Sharif, who was elected by Pakistan's parliament as the new prime minister, outlined his administration's foreign policy priorities during a speech in the National Assembly on Monday wherein he thanked Saudi Arabia for always providing generous support to his country and emphasized stronger trade relations with Gulf nations.
Sharif was highly critical of the diplomatic performance of the pervious administration, saying the country had to suffer several setbacks on the foreign policy front in the last three years and was abandoned by its friends and strategic partners.
Discussing Pakistan's relations with Saudi Arabia, he recalled that the kingdom had come to rescue his country by ensuring generous oil supply after Pakistan's nuclear tests in 1998.
"We are grateful to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, and Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud," he said. "We thank them that they stood by us as always in such difficult times."
The new Pakistani prime minister said his country had always cherished strong relations with the Gulf nations and Middle Eastern countries, adding that Pakistan should do everything to further consolidate its ties with them and nurture stronger trade relations.
Focusing on the United Arab Emirates, he described the country as "our neighbor, our caring and sympathetic friends" who always supported Pakistan.
"We also thank them for standing with us," he added.
Sharif also applauded Turkey for being "at the forefront" when the people of Kashmir needed international support.
He said that his administration would raise its voice for the rights of Palestinians, adding it was also strategically important for Pakistan to sensitize the international community regarding the situation in Afghanistan.
The new Pakistani prime minister criticized the previous government for making reckless statements about Pakistan's close international partners while mentioning that it also threatened the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
"No one should have any doubt that China is Pakistan's loyal and reliable friend who has been there for us during good and bad times," he said. "Not only has China helped Pakistan economically but also supported us on international forums."
"What the previous government did to weaken this friendship is a painful story," he added.
The new prime minister said that his country needed to strengthen its ties with the European Union and ensure the renewal of a special trade arrangement with it next year.
"Modern diplomacy is dependent upon your economic strength," he said. "If we are not economically strong, our diplomatic efforts will be ineffective."
Discussing Pakistan's relations with the United States, Sharif said they had experienced several ups and downs in the past, adding that Pakistan should try to maintain them "on an equal footing."
He maintained that India and Pakistan should try to eradicate poverty from the region by resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.
"We want good relations with India but enduring peace requires a just solution to the Kashmir dispute," he said. "We will raise our voice for our Kashmiri brothers and sisters on all forums."