Khawaja Asif lauds Arab League’s peace building role in Muslim world

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NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday highlighted the importance of the Arab League for the stability of the Muslim world during a meeting with League’s Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

The foreign minister is a part of delegation, led by Prime Minister Khaqan Abbasi, attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The foreign minister also congratulated the secretary-general on his dynamic leadership of the organisation.

The secretary-general appreciated Pakistan’s positive role in addressing the challenges confronted by the Muslim world, and admired the country’s constructive role in promoting regional peace.

Acknowledging Pakistan’s fraternal relations with the members of Arab League, he admired the country’s never-ending support to the Palestine cause.

Both sides expressed grave concerns on the situation of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the brutal and blatant targeting of innocent civilians, women, elderly and children in these two territories by the occupying forces.

The secretary-general invited Khawaja Asif to visit Cairo.

Besides the meeting with the Arab League’s secretary general, the foreign minister also held a number of meetings with the other dignitaries, including the foreign ministers of Namibia, Kyrgyzstan, and Botswana.

During a meeting with the Namibia’s Foreign Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Khawaja Asif was briefed on the economic priorities of the Namibia government.

She expressed Namibia’s appreciation for Pakistan’s support in the capacity building of Namibian diplomats.

Namibia was invited to attend the upcoming EXPO-PAKISTAN and IDEAS 2018 being held in Pakistan.

During a meeting with Kyrgyzstan Foreign Minister Erlan Abdyldayev, both sides expressed satisfaction at the completion of necessary arrangements for CASA-1000 and the newly established air connectivity between the two countries.

They also agreed to enhance mutual cooperation in multilateral fora, especially at the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO).

Both sides agreed to mark the occasion through enhanced exchanges and holding bilateral consultations at senior levels.

During a meeting with Botswana Foreign Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, Botswana expressed keen desire to enhance economic, trade, educational and defence ties with Pakistan.

Inviting businessmen from Botswana to EXPO and IDEAS Pakistan, Khawaja Asif agreed to explore possibilities of investment and economic cooperation.