Jalil Abbas Jilani assumes charge as Caretaker Foreign Minister

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Caretaker Minister for Foreign Affairs Jalil Abbas Jilani took the charge of his office on Friday. Foreign Minister Jilani, who had taken oath along with other cabinet members on Thursday, has an extensive expertise of foreign affairs.

He served as foreign secretary in 2012-13, besides Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, European Union, Belgium, Luxembourg and Australia.

Meanwhile, the minister said the main objective of the foreign policy was to serve the national interests.

He said the caretaker cabinet would strive to serve the country’s interest through national consensus and improve cordial ties with countries like China, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and South Asian states, among others.

He said Pakistan should further strengthen its relationship with China being a strategic partner with great economic cooperation.

Similarly, he said, the success of the Afghan government was also essential that should play its role to eliminate terrorism.