Lahore, April 13:Former President of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and renowned diplomat, Sardar Masood Khan, has stated that while the threat of additional tariffs imposed by the United States on countries including Pakistan has been temporarily averted, it is imperative for Pakistan to identify new markets in Europe, the Gulf, and neighboring South Asian countries to boost its exports.
He was addressing a seminar titled “Pakistan’s Foreign Policy, Security Challenges, and the Way Forward,” organized by World Times Institute in Lahore.
Speaking on regional security concerns, he pointed out that the presence of foreign weapons in Afghanistan and the use of Afghan territory against Pakistan’s security pose a significant threat to the country’s sovereignty and stability. He emphasized the need for Pakistan to utilize diplomatic channels to communicate its concerns clearly to the Kabul administration.
“Attacks on civilians, the military, and the sovereignty of Pakistan are absolutely unacceptable,” he added.
Elaborating on both internal and external challenges to Pakistan’s foreign policy, Sardar Masood Khan presented several strategic recommendations. Commenting on U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, he urged Pakistan to seek out new trade opportunities not only under the EU’s GSP Plus status but also by enhancing partnerships with friendly nations like Bangladesh, and engaging more actively with countries in the Middle East and the Far East.
Other speakers at the seminar included Shahid Malik, Shahid Saeed, DG PEMRA Ikram Barkat, Nadeem Bhatti, the Vice Chancellor of Lead University, among others.
Later, in a separate session, students and faculty of the institute engaged in a Q&A with the guest of honor, Sardar Masood Khan, discussing various challenges pertaining to Pakistan’s foreign policy, to which he responded in detail.
