PM Imran arrives in US on week-long trip

By
Web Desk
|

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Imran Khan reached the United States on Saturday to attend the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

According to a post on the Government of Pakistan Twitter account, the PM arrived in New York for a week-long visit.

During his week-long visit to US, the prime minister will hold several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from various countries and participate in high-level UN summits on climate change, sustainable development, universal health coverage and financing for development.

PM Imran's US visit will be Kashmir-centric, revolving around India's decision to revoke the special status of occupied Kashmir and the ongoing human rights abuses in the disputed territory.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Advisor on Finance Dr Hafeez Shaikh and Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfikar Bukhari are also accompanying the prime minister.

PM Imran is slated to address the UN General Assembly session on September 27. Prior to the UN General Assembly session, the premier will meet the heads of various states and apprise them about the Indian government’s violations of human rights in the valley.

He is expected to meet US President Donald Trump on Monday.

The prime minister will also attend and speak at high-level side events co-hosted by Pakistan and Turkey on countering hate speech and on environmental protection and poverty alleviation, co-hosted by Malaysia and Pakistan.

A trilateral summit meeting of Pakistan, Malaysia and Turkey will also be held on the sidelines. The prime minister will also interact with a cross-section of international media outlets including meetings with editorial boards.

His speaking engagements at leading think-tanks and meetings with heads of major international human rights organisations are also envisaged.

The prime minister’s visit will further reinforce Pakistan’s abiding commitment to the UN Charter, international law and cooperative multilateralism, with the UN at its core.

On Thursday, PM Imran arrived in Saudi Arabia for a two-day visit where he met King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two sides underlined the deep and multi-faceted quality of the relationship. They reiterated the resolve to further intensify bilateral trade, energy investment and people-to-people contacts.

During his meetings with the Saudi leadership, the prime minister strongly condemned the recent attacks on oil installations and assured Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia against any threat to its security and territorial integrity.

On the issue Kashmir, PM Imran highlighted the dire human rights situation in the occupied valley and the grave risks posed to peace and security in the aftermath of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5.

On Friday, PM Imran performed Umrah in Makkah. The prime minister’s wife Bushra Begum also accompanied him during the holy rituals.