US Afghan Policy: Pak Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif will visit Turkey, Russia and China next week
Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif will visit Turkey, Russia and "all-weather ally" China next week for consultations on the new US policy for Afghanistan and South Asia, according to a media report today.
The dates for the trip are still being worked out. Foreign office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said yesterday that the foreign minister will visit "regional countries for consultations" but did not provide details of his travel.
Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported that the decision for the visit was taken at a meeting of the National Security Committee on Thursday, which deliberated on the new US policy.
During the trip, Mr Asif will hold consultations at developing consensus on efforts for peace in Afghanistan.
Earlier, Mr Asif was expected to visit the US for bilateral talks with his counterpart Rex Tillerson, but it was apparently delayed in the wake of the new Afghan policy announced by US President Donald Trump.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled his Afghan policy and sought an enhanced role for India in bringing peace in the war-ravaged country. He sternly warned Pakistan against providing safe heavens to terrorists.