Stance on terror boldly conveyed to world: PM

Foreign Minister Asif says he had an informal chat with Sushma Swaraj

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday said his visit had achieved its objective of conveying Pakistan's strong stance against terrorism as "the international community was now showing its understanding and appreciation of the country's commitment and its sacrifices."

The prime minister was addressing a news conference for Pakistani media while winding up his four-day visit to New York. Abbasi said he made some headway in putting relations back on track with the United States.

The PM, who led the Pakistan delegation to the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, went through a hectic schedule in New York and met President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and several other world leaders on the sidelines of the assembly.



The prime minister had 27 engagements, including several important bilateral meetings with different heads of governments.

He said his other engagements included meetings with the heads of World Bank, World Economic Forum, UN Secretary-General, besides interaction at the Council of Foreign Relations.

In his speech at the UNGA, Abbbasi said “I had presented Pakistan's point of view effectively and forcefully and have been getting a positive feedback.”

The prime minister, who was flanked by Foreign Minister, Khawaja Asif and Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, said he looks forward to the visit of a US delegation to Pakistan.

The announcement of the delegation was made after the PM had a one-on-one meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence.



Abbasi said, “Pakistan has rendered a lot of sacrifices in its war against terrorism and played a key role in countering the threat of terrorism in the country.”  He said that Pakistan's stance was clear that it wants to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, adding "We are partners in the war against terrorism and the international community has accepted it."

To a question, Khawaja Asif said he has had a meeting with the national security adviser of Afghanistan and several issues of mutual concern were taken up. He added that during the meeting both sides agreed to carry forward the talks, and that he has been invited to visit Kabul.

Meanwhile, PM Abbasi said his bilateral meeting with President Ashraf Ghani could not be materialised due to scheduling difficulties.

Responding to a question, the prime minister said, “Peace cannot be brought to Afghanistan by war. Afghans need to sit down together and resolve their own issues.” He added that those with whom we are fighting have their leadership in Afghanistan. Nobody wants peace more than us in Afghanistan, he remarked.



The premier said the Taliban were operating in Afghanistan, and Pakistan had nothing to do with them.

Responding to a question, the foreign minister said he had an informal chat with the Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj at a diplomatic reception. He said he had enquired after her health after her kidney transplant.

The PM, while referring to his demand for appointment of a Special Envoy on Kashmir, said the world body would look into it. He said, “The dossier presented has information about the atrocities being perpetrated against Kashmiris and expressed hope that Pakistan would get a positive response.”

Turning to domestic politics the prime minister said his government has lots of respect for the Supreme Court and had only one stance that the courts should equally treat everyone.

To a question he denied that there was any reshuffle planned in the federal cabinet.  APP