Pakistan to defy regional hegemony of India: Hina

LAHORE (APP): Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said that Pakistan is a sovereign state and it would not accept hegemony of any country in the region. “Pakistan’s role in the region is by no means inferior to India”, she said while talking to the media men at the Lahore Airport on her return from the ministerial meeting of the ASEAN regional forum, here Sunday.

Hina Rabbani Khar said the outstanding issues with India could not be settled overnight, adding that Kashmir issue is on the preferential agenda of Pakistan as Pakistan is desirous of durable peace in the region.

The Minister said that the international community must extend cooperation to Pakistan in recognition of country’s role as a frontline ally in combating terror.

To a query, she said that she had a fruitful meeting with the Chinese foreign minister at the ASEAN forum and we discussed Pak-China bilateral relations, adding that China is time-tested friend of Pakistan and Pakistan is proud of this friendship.

The Foreign Minister said that the strategic relations with China were moving from strength to strength with every passing day.

About her meeting with the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton she said that Pak-US relations came under discussion at the meeting, stressing that strong working relationship with the US is in the national interest of Pakistan.

The minister said that the US secretary of state has expressed her will to bring relations back on track with Pakistan as well as remove any reservations between the countries.

She has said that Pak-US do have difference of opinion on certain operational matters, expressing the hope that the differences can be resolved amicably.

Ms Khar said the US Secretary of State has agreed on the meeting of the Pak-US Foreign ministers soon.

 “Whatever be the role of a country in the region, Pakistan’s importance can not diminished at and the US acknowledges the fact”, she responded.    

Regarding Ghulam Nabi Fai, she said that the Kashmiri leader has rendered meritorious services for the Kashmir cause in line with the US law and the constitution, adding that Pakistan admires Dr Fai’s services for the Kashmiris.