PM Abbasi lands in New York to address UNGA, meet world leaders

NEW YORK: Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi landed here from London Monday afternoon to lead the country's delegation to the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Aizaz Chaudhry and Maleeha Lodhi — Pakistan's Ambassadors to the United States and United Nations, respectively — received Abbasi at the John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Pakistani High Commissioner in the UK Syed Ibne Abbas bade farewell to the prime minister at the airport, alongside other officials.

The Premier's address to the UNGA — slated for September 21 — will be his debut into the highest international diplomacy after being sworn in as the Prime Minister last month.

It will also coincide with US President Donald Trump's maiden speech at the UN.

Abbasi — despite looking at a tight schedule during his four-day visit to the US — will be interacting with US Vice President Mike Pence. He will also partake in UN events pertaining to the UNGA as well as those related to forums on the 193-member body's sidelines.

In addition, the PM is scheduled to meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as well as leaders of various nations that are part of the UN. He will also be speaking to representatives of the Council on Foreign Relations and US-Pakistan Business Council.

Abbasi is expected to have extensive interaction with the international media during and after the UNGA.