Prime Minister inaugurates the Sahabzada Yaqub Khan Building
T
he Prime Minister inaugurated a new Foreign Ministry office building that would be known as the Sahabzada Yaqub Khan block. The Prime Minister was received by the Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs Mr. Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister stated that Pakistan wants good relations with its neighbours, further deepen the time-tested friendship with China, rebuild relationship with the United States, based on mutual respect and to solidify its bonds with the Muslim world. The Prime
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Minister stressed the need for greater focus on economic diplomacy and coordination with other government departments in the pursuit of these goals. The Prime Minister also advised the officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to look after the overseas Pakistani communities and to protect their interests. Earlier, the outgoing Foreign Secretary and Ambassador designate to the United States, Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani welcomed the Prime Minister and thanked him for his support and patronage to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was the first line of defence for Pakistan. He also briefed the Prime Minister about the new building while
highlighting the contribution of the Special Projects Division and Administration of the Foreign Ministry, for their untiring efforts in completing work on the new building. The building with a covered area of 160,000 sq. ft has a basement, six reception areas, lobby and a conference hall. The new building will provide space for conferences and accommodate Foreign Ministry offices, which are located in rented buildings and containers. The inauguration ceremony was attended by members of the Cabinet including the Minister for Information and Minister of State for Commerce, diplomats and senior government officials.— DA REPORT