Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in the capital on Saturday on a three-day visit.
Abbas – who is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari – was accorded a warm welcome at Noor Khan Airbase by federal minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin.
This is the first ever visit of the Palestinian president to Pakistan after the recognition of Palestine as a Non-member Observer State by the United Nations.
Pakistan was co-sponsor in the United Nations General Assembly resolution that granted this status to Palestine on 29 November, 2012. President Abbas last visited Pakistan in February 2010.
President Abbas will be received by President Asif Zardari at the Presidency on Sunday (today), where a formal welcome ceremony would be held in his honour. His engagements include delegation level talks followed by a luncheon hosted by President Zardari.
The two leaders are expected to discuss all aspects of bilateral relations and would also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Pakistan enjoys excellent relations with Palestine and always been supportive of their legitimate right to self-determination and have consistently supported the Palestinian cause.
Pakistan has been supporting the two states solution and also has been instrumental in helping Palestine get the observer status in the UN as well as in UNESCO.
The two countries have been very cooperative, and the visit is likely to further improve the bilateral ties.