Pakistani envoys to discuss Trump's South Asia policy

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In light of US President Donald Trump’s new South Asia policy, Pakistani diplomats convened in Islamabad on Tuesday to begin a three-day conference focused on reviewing emerging challenges in the region, officials said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Nafees Zakaria said some important foreign policy issues will be brainstormed in the conference.

He said Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif decided to hold the conference with a view to "evaluate Pakistan's potential strengths and to examine policy choices in the view of the evolving geopolitical and regional situation."

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is expected to deliver a speech at the concluding session on Thursday.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (L) heads a meeting of the National Security Committee in Islamabad on August 24, 2017. /AFP Photo

Asif's forthcoming visit to regional countries and Pakistan's strategy for the upcoming UN General Assembly's session will also be on the agenda, a Pakistani official said.

Another official in Islamabad said that "high level" contacts between Pakistan and other countries are on the card in the General Assembly's session, mainly on Afghanistan.

Trump had accused Pakistan of sheltering militants and stated that "we can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organizations. Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists."

Members of Pakistani traders union burn posters of US President Donald Trump in a protest in Peshawar on August 30, 2017. /AFP Photo‍

Trump's criticism of Pakistan has evoked strong response by the country's top civil and military leaders. The Pakistani parliament has unanimously adopted a strong- worded resolution and political parties have showed unity against the US warnings to Pakistan.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency