Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has finally conveyed to the Foreign Office that he will not attend the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session later this month in New York.

Earlier during his first visit to the Foreign Office, the premier had sought time to make a decision. “Prime Minister Imran Khan has conveyed to the Foreign Office that he will not be going to the UN,” Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told Daily Times when asked who would lead Pakistan’s delegation to the UNGA.

“I would be leading Pakistan’s delegation to the UNGA,” Shah Mehmood Qureshi said. The foreign minister said that PM Imran was busy dealing with most complex issues facing Pakistan and holding meetings daily to find out solutions, therefore, he might not visit any foreign country in the next three months. He, however, said that PM’s visit to any country could not be ruled out due to emerging scenario in the region.

Qureshi said that that the top world body would be apprised of top priorities of the incumbent government. “The UN will also be informed about Pakistan’s efforts for peace and stability in the region, particularly in Afghanistan.” He said that Pakistan would also highlight Indian atrocities in the Indian-held Kashmir. On the sidelines of the UNGA, Qureshi would hold meetings with a number of foreign ministers of other countries. The most significant among all meetings will be an expected meeting between foreign ministers of Pakistan and India for which both countries are working closely to work out modalities.

Published in Daily Times, September 2^nd 2018.