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Friday, August 26, 2011

Zardari to leave for three-day China visit on 30th of this month: FO

President Asif Ali Zardari will undertake a three day visit to China from 30th of this month to attend China-Euro-Asia Expo being held in Urumqi.

Speaking at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said the visit is aimed at strengthening business to business linkages between the two countries and EurAsian businesses.
She said the president during his visit will also meet the Chinese vice premier Li Kequang as well as leaders of corporate sector. A Pakistani pavilion will also be set up in Urumqi expo that the president will visit.
The spokesperon said that Pakistan and China have deep rooted relations and the fast pace development of Beijing is a matter of great pride for us. She said China’s emergence as the largest economy of the world would also have positive impact on the economy of Pakistan.
Tehmina Janjua said the President will also pay a two day visit to Tajikistan from the Ist of next month on the invitation of Tajik President Emomali Rahmov. The two leaders will hold bilateral talks.
The third Quadrilateral Summit between Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Russia will be held on the 2nd of next month in Dushanbe. The summit will focus on matters of regional connectivity including infrastructure development and energy projects besides regional trade, peace and stability in the region including support for the Afghan reconciliation process and cooperation in countering terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime.
Responding to a question about the fast changing situation in Libya, the foreign office spokesperson said that Pakistan is closely monitoring the situation there and our embassy is fully operational and in touch with Pakistanis. She said Pakistan strongly believes in the territorial integrity, sovereignty and unity of all states.
When asked about relations with the United States, Tehmina Janjua said that Islamabad continues to engage with Washington for building a stable partnership for our shared goals. She said the relationship between the two countries is crucial for the peace and stability of the entire region and beyond.
The realization on both sides about the importance of this partnership was fully acknowledged during the Secretary of State’s conversation with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar over the telephone a few days ago.
She maintained that there is strategic convergence between both the sides and operational matters are being worked out through discussions.
To a question, Tehmina Janjua said that the travelling or movement of diplomats falls within the purview of foreign office. There are certain rules and regulations for this purpose which is applicable to all the missions in Islamabad.
When asked whether Pakistan supports the withdrawal of Nato troops from Afghanistan, she said it is up to the people and government of Afghanistan to take decision in this regard.
When asked about the unearthing of mass graves in Occupied Kashmir, the foreign office spokesperson said India should respect the human rights of Kashmiris and those involved in the killing of innocent persons should be brought to justice. SANA