Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Thursday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to the United States is an acknowledgment of improved international standing of the country due to the visionary leadership and foreign policy of the government. While talking to the media, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to the United States will help strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. She said that it is for the first time that peace-loving efforts of Pakistan have been recognised by the United States. The visit will also improve the standing of Pakistan's passport in the world, she added.
Referring to the expected visit of the Prime Minister to Russia, she said such visits are always in the process of engaging countries for bilateral relations. She said that the Foreign Office will share the details once the visit is confirmed.
She said that the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been making sincere efforts for rebuilding damaged institutions. Dr Awan said, "We are taking forward the institutional reforms agenda of the government." She said that the Parliament is a very important pillar of state. She said that some political pundits want to run the Senate according to their wishes. She said that no confidence motion moved by the opposition parties against the Senate chairman has raised serious questions in the minds of ordinary people about the designs of the opposition parties. She said that the government will protect the national institutions from attack of the opposition.
While addressing a seminar on the 62nd death anniversary of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan-III, she said that Imran Khan is taking tough decisions, like institutional reforms and breaking the status quo, in the country.
Paying rich tribute to Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan-III, Dr Awan emphasised on protecting national heritage and national heroes of Pakistan, who played a pivotal role in creation of the country.
She said that Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan-III had arranged finances to procure Gwadar Port, which indicates his vision as the port offers greater regional connectivity and has the potential to become economic hub of the area. She said that difference between an ordinary politician and a leader is that politician only thinks about the next election. She said that Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan was a leader who always focused on social work and remained engaged in social services throughout his life.
Dr Awan said that youth should learn from the struggle of national heroes. She said that a leader always focuses on long-term policies, securing future of the coming generations and keeps national interest supreme. She said that current challenges being faced by the country are due to previous rulers who undermined the national institutions for their personal gains.