MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFIARS of PAKISTAN’ PARTICIPATE IN THE SAARC 31ST COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING IN COLOMBO

MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFIARS of PAKISTAN’ PARTICIPATE IN THE SAARC 31ST COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING IN COLOMBO


Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, will lead the Pakistan delegation to the 31st Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers meeting to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 27-28 February 2009.The meeting has been preceded by the meetings of the Standing Committee (25-26 February) and the Programming Committee (23-24 February).The meeting is expected to review the implementation of decisions taken at earlier Summits and discuss additional measures to promote regional cooperation. The occasion would also be utilized for bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Council.Over the years, SAARC has made notable progress in a number of areas including trade, finance, poverty alleviation and environment. The meeting would provide a useful opportunity for SAARC Foreign Ministers to review the progress in the above-mentioned and other areas under the ambit of SAARC.Pakistan attaches great importance to SAARC and its activities. Pakistan has contributed meaningfully to the establishment, institutionalization and progress of the body. Pakistan has played a proactive role to reinvigorate SAARC by providing substantive inputs Pakistan has hosted the 4th (1988) and the 12th (2004) SAARC Summits and a number of ministerial and technical level meetings. Speaking at the the 36th Session of the SAARC Standing Committee Foreign Secretary, Mr. Salman Bashir emphasized the need to strengthen regional cooperation to mitigate the effects of the current global financial crisis and enhance cooperation in financial matters. He underlined the need to strengthen SAARC regime to effectively combat the menace of terrorism. He highlighted the need for cooperation among the Saarc countries to focus on Science and Technology to consider multilateral energy cooperation to cope with the energy deficiency in the region and focus on water conservation issues and commissioning a scientific study on melting of glaciers In his remarks, the Foreign Secretary also proposed that a global summit be convened to address the problems arising out of the global financial crisis.

Pakistan, India foreign secretaries meet in Colombo

Pakistan, India foreign secretaries meet in Colombo

Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon has informed Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir that India would be responding soon to the queries raised by Pakistan in the context of the Mumbai incident. The issue was discussed in a meeting between Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Salman Bashir and his Indian counterpart Shivshankar held in Colombo on Thursday on the sidelines of the SAARC Standing Committee.
The meeting, which was the first between the two foreign secretaries after the Mumbai incident, was held in a cordial atmosphere. High Commissioner of Pakistan to India Shahid Malik was also present.
The two Foreign Secretaries exchanged views on broader issues of regional cooperation and agreed to continue their efforts to promote cooperation under the SAARC auspices.
They affirmed the importance of promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity, according to a press release issued by the Office of FO Spokesman here on Thursday.
The Foreign Secretaries also discussed various aspects of bilateral relations. They agreed to keep the official channels of communication open.
Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir underscored the importance that Pakistan attaches to preserving the gains made in the Composite Dialogue Process.
He reiterated the need to resume the process as soon as possible with the view to promoting substantive engagement on all issues including Kashmir, for establishing friendly and good neighborly relations.

We are with a double-edged mission to combat terrorism and global Financial meltdown – President Rajapaksha

We are with a double-edged mission to combat terrorism and global Financial meltdown – President Rajapaksha

"We are nations entrusted with a double-edged mission. And, we must re-double our efforts in combating terrorism and global financial meltdown individually and collectively. We need courage to take firm action to overcome terrorism. Sadly, the instability caused by the global financial crisis can be considered quite similar to the threat caused by terrorism to our societies and to our region,” said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the SAARC Foreign Ministers’ Conference in Colombo today. [Pix : By dailly mirror]

"The depression in the commodity market is adversely affecting most of us, even negating the gains resulting from the declining oil prices. Trade flows, production lines and the service sector are suffering from the domino effect of this crisis and there are looming liquidity problems,” the President added

Kashmir Solidarity Day

Kashmir Solidarity Day

The Kashmiris and Pakistanis all over the world are observing Kashmir Solidarity day on 5^th February to express unity with the people of Kashmir.
The Pakistani nation remains all set to express its unshakable commitment to the just cause of Kashmiris who are struggling against the Indian occupation of their motherland

.In a message the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari said that we observe Kashmir Solidarity Day every year to express our unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support to the just struggle of our Kashmiri brethren for their right of self determination, as enshrined in the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions.

Kashmir Solidarity Day is also an occasion to pay tribute to the countless sacrifices of the valiant people of Kashmir who have remained resolute and steadfast in the face of oppression spanning more than six decades.He further said that I wish to reassure my Kashmiri brethren that Pakistan remains firmly committed to finding a just and peaceful solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir . For more than six decades, the Kashmir issue remains on the agenda of the UN as an unfulfilled obligation. We will continue to support the Kashmiri people in their quest for realizing their right to self determination. Pakistan calls for an end to the human rights violations in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.He reiterated that Pakistan would continue to pursue a resolution of the Kashmir dispute based on the wishes of the Kashmiri people. To that end, we believe that Kashmiris should be associated with the Dialogue process. We are in no doubt that ultimately, Kashmiris would be the final arbiter of their destiny.

I take this opportunity to reiterate to our Kashmiri brethren our pledge that they have Pakistan ’s full moral, diplomatic and political support. Their goals are our goals. Their dreams are our dreams. May Allah grant us the strength to continue our joint struggle.