Qureshi meets UN official, stresses need for early resolution of Kashmir issue

Foreign minister also meets executive directors of UN Environment, UN Habitat and Kenyan officials in Nairobi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday underlined the need to resolve the Kashmir issue in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions, ensuring the right of self-determination to about eight million Kashmiris, who are under a brutal Indian lockdown since August 5.

The foreign minister said this while speaking to United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) Director General Zainab Hawa Bangura in the Kenyan capital, said a statement issued here.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi meets United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) Director General Zainab Hawa Bangura in the Kenyan capital pic.twitter.com/IVNq625E2W

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) January 29, 2020

The foreign minister is currently on an official visit to Kenya.

FM Qureshi briefed her on ongoing Indian atrocities in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, saying the Indian government’s unconstitutional steps over IOJ&K had put the situation in the South Asian region into peril.

During the meeting, Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Kenya Saqlain Syeda and the foreign office’s additional secretary for Africa were also present.

FM Qureshi leaves for Kenya on two-day visit

The UNON director general appreciated Pakistan's constructive role in the UN Habitat and UN Environment Programmes.

Qureshi told her that Pakistan had been rendering valuable and historic services under the banner of UN peace missions in different African countries.

He assured her that Pakistan would continue to play its active role for further advocating the manifesto and resolutions of the world body.

The foreign minister hoped that relations between Pakistan and the UNON would be further strengthened in the future. He also invited Bangura to visit Pakistan.

Qureshi meets Kenyan officials

Foreign Minister Qureshi underlined importance of promoting ties to further strengthen and solidify the existing political and economic relations between Pakistan and Kenya during meetings with Kenyan officials.

In a meeting with Communication Minister of Kenya James Wainaina Macharia, the two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, including bilateral ties and promoting cooperation in the field of communication.

FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi meets Communication Minister of Kenya James Wainaina Macharia in Nairobi pic.twitter.com/II05eDLd84

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) January 29, 2020

Qureshi said Pakistan is implementing the project of sister port cities of Karachi and Mombasa while keeping in view the importance of promoting contacts. He said these contacts will help Pakistan in sending cargo shipments to Kenya, Africa and Central Asia.

The two ministers emphasised the importance of Air Service Agreement to increase people to people contacts between the two countries.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

The foreign minister also held a meeting with Kenyan Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed. They discussed issues of mutual interest, including two way collaboration and economic cooperation.

Qureshi, while appreciating the dynamic and full participation of Kenya in regional economic blocks, termed it an important step in regional stability. He said Pakistan wanted to participate in East African Community as negotiating partner to further strengthen its economic relations with Kenya.

The Kenyan cabinet secretary appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for focusing on African region for promoting economic contacts and selecting Kenya for holding the trade conference.

‘Environment friendly, affordable homes’

Foreign Minister Qureshi, while speaking to Executive Director of United Nations Habitat, Memona Bint Mohammad Sharif, said the PTI government is successfully pursuing a plan to build and supply environmentally friendly and affordable homes in Pakistan.

FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi meets Executive Director of United Nations Habitat Memona Bint Mohammad Sharif in Nairobi pic.twitter.com/VmHA03jY2b

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) January 29, 2020

“We will need more UN Habitat cooperation in several urban planning projects, keeping environmental protection in mind,” he said.

The UN Habitat executive director appreciated Pakistan's dynamic role in various activities during the UN Habitat's last annual meeting.

Climate change

Meanwhile, speaking to Executive Director of UN Environment Program Inger Andersen, the foreign minister said Pakistan gives immense importance to meet the challenges of climate change.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi meets United Nations environment program (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Anderson in Nairobi pic.twitter.com/6r3vElAM22

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) January 29, 2020

In order to reduce the impacts of climate change, the PTI-led government has launched the billions tree tsunami programme in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province successfully, he said, adding that the government is also working on another “ten billion tree plantation” project across the country.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

Anderson appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to tackle the issue of climate change and its active participation in the UN Environmental Program.

(With input from Radio Pakistan)