Pakistan working towards Afghan transition: PM

In his first official trip to Saudi Arabia, Ashraf defends his party policy on various issues.

JEDDAH:


Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf met Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz on Monday and discussed issues of bilateral interests and matters of regional importance.


The premier briefed King Abdullah about measures being taken by Pakistan for regional peace, especially in ensuring a peaceful transition in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of Nato forces.

The premier was accompanied by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Khursheed Shah, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia Muhammad Naeem Khan and other officials in his meeting.

King Abdullah was also informed that Pakistanis offered prayers for the soul of former Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, reflective of the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The prime minister renewed his invitation to the Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz to visit Pakistan which was accepted.


In his first official trip to Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Monday defended his party policy on various issues. “The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) seeks to uphold democratic norms. The consensus reached on the recent appointment of a chief election commissioner proves that,” said the premier.

He was speaking at a reception held in his honour by the Pakistani community and PPP stalwarts in Jeddah.

“The PPP-led government has been able to present five successive budgets and is fully prepared for the next elections,” said a confident Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

The prime minister urged the expatriates to invest in Pakistan, especially in the power generation sector.

Assuring that the present government will provide maximum protection to all foreign investors, the prime minister said that more investment-friendly policies will be announced soon. 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2012.
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