Qureshi assures Pakistan’s support’ to Palestine in struggle for rights

ISLAMABAD, March 23 (SABAH): Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi (L) met his Palestinian counterpart, Dr Riyad al-Maliki, on the sidelines of the 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Islamabad on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO)Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unequivocal support” for the rights of Palestinians in their just struggle.

The foreign ministers met on the sidelines of the 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which Pakistan is hosting in Islamabad. The two-day summit will end today.

According to the FO, Qureshi underscored during his meeting with Maliki that Islamabad’s principled position on Palestine reflected the sentiments of the people of Pakistan.

“Maliki expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s unwavering support and principled stance on Palestine, including at the UN (United Nations) and OIC,” the FO said, adding that the two foreign ministers also reviewed bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and international issues.

Meanwhile Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Kyrgyz Republic, Ruslan Kazakbaev, on the sidelines of the 48th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Minister in Islamabad.

The two sides reviewed the state of bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation including matters relating to trade and investment, defence and security as well as connectivity agenda. The two Foreign Ministers noted with satisfaction the progress made on the CASA-1000 project and expressed commitment for its timely completion.

The two sides also agreed to enhance people-to-people contacts and cooperation in the education sector. Issues related to the welfare of Pakistani students and expatriate community were discussed. The importance of regular interaction and dialogue under existing mechanisms and exchange of high-level visits to generate further momentum in the relationship was underlined.

The two sides affirmed their commitment to remain constructively and meaningfully engaged to further reinforce Pakistan-Kyrgyz bilateral relations.