Khawaja Asif meets Secretary-General of the Arab League

NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif held a number of meetings in New York on Monday on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly.

Khawaja Asif congratulated the Secretary-General on his dynamic leadership of the organisation and noted the importance of the Arab League as an anchor for stability within the Muslim World.

Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed great recognition and appreciation for Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace, harmony and cooperation, especially among the Muslim states.

The Secretary-General appreciated Pakistan's positive role in addressing the challenges confronted by the Muslim world.

He acknowledged Pakistan’s fraternal relations with the members of Arab League include the unwavering support extended by Pakistan to the cause of Palestine.

Both sides expressed grave concerns on the situation of Palestine and Jammu & Kashmir, especially the brutal and flagrant 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.

Namibia's Foreign Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah briefed Khawaja Asif on the economic priorities of her 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.

Asif also met Erlan Abdyldayev, the Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan.

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 Organization (SCO) and Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).

Noting the 25 years of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan, both sides agreed to mark the occasion through enhanced exchanges and holding bilateral consultations at senior levels.

Foreign Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi of Botswana, upon meeting Khawaja Asif, expressed keen desire to deepen economic, trade, educational and defence ties with Pakistan.

The two agreed to explore possibilities of investment and economic cooperation.

Khawaja Asif also invited businessmen from Botswana to EXPO and IDEAS Pakistan.