Islamabad, Apr 10 : Pakistan's Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that there is a strong urge among think tanks and political leaders in the US to forge a long-term relationship with Pakistan.

Qureshi said every government had its own priorities, but an overnight change in the foreign policy is not possible.

Foreign policies are pursued on the basis of long-term strategic interests, he said, keeping in view the regional and global conditions.

"So it is not necessary to change the foreign policy right after the change in government," the Daily Times quoted Qureshi, as saying.

He said that a new government would change the existing policy in line with people's aspirations "after taking the stakeholders on board", but it would not be an appropriate step to reject it outright.

Pakistanis were concerned about terrorism, he said, because it affected their lives and economy.

Qureshi urged joint international efforts against terrorism. "Even the technologically advanced countries of the world cannot overcome this menace alone," he added.

He said there was no question of dialogue with the people who were directly involved in terrorist activities.

Referring to a recent statement by Richard Boucher, he said that the new government had convinced Pakistan's allies in the war on terror to consider non-military options.

ANI