FM Qureshi arrives in New York to outline new Pakistani Govt's policies on world stage

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrived in New York on Sunday to lead the Pakistan delegation to the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly where he will speak at several events, focusing on the country's stance on international and regional issues.

During his talks at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, he talked about the ongoing discussion between Pakistan and the United States to improve their “fractured” ties as well as relations with India and efforts for peace in war-torn Afghanistan

Referring to the recent tension in Pak-US relations, he said that bilateral ties had recently been fractured, however, Pakistan intends to continue its engagement with the US and manage the relationship by concentrating on points of convergence.

He also said that following the Prime Minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia, the two countries have expressed their desire to invest in Pakistan and, before his visit to Washington, he wrote letters to the governments of Saudi Arabia and UAE to highlight areas for investment.

According to Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, the highlight of his visit will be his speech in the General Assembly on 29 September in which he will set out the new government's priorities and its policy on key international and regional issue, including peace in Afghanistan and the situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He is expected to address the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation's Contact Group on Kashmir on the sidelines of the General Assembly on Wednesday, 26^th September.

Furthermore, he will be speaking at the Asia Society where he will interact with American academics, foreign policy experts and students on Friday. 28^th September.

The Foreign Minister of Pakistan will meet his US counterpart Mike Pompeo in Washington on October 2 at the invitation the US Secretary of State extended during his recent visit to Pakistan to what he described as efforts to “reset” relations between the two countries.

He will also attend several high level events and hold close to two dozen bilateral meetings with his counterparts from around the world.

More than 128 world leaders are set to address the 193-member Assembly on a wide-raging agenda that includes the full spectrum of international issues -- sustainable development, climate change, peace and security, human rights, public health concerns and gender equality.

APP