Felicitation: Ban, Karzai repose confidence in Nawaz
UN chief says he looks forward to working with new Pakistani leadership.
UN Secretry General Ban Ki-moon.. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
UNITED NATIONS/KABUL:
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Afghan President Hamid Karzai have expressed confidence in the leadership of new Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
In a congratulatory message, the UN chief said he was confident that under Nawaz’s leadership, Pakistan would build on its democratic achievements and strengthen its existing partnership with the world body.
“I would like to reiterate my welcome for the first-ever transition in Pakistan from one civilian government to another,” Ban wrote to Prime Minister Nawaz.
“By exercising their constitutional right to vote, the people of Pakistan have reaffirmed their desire for a democratic Pakistan ... This is a significant step forward for democracy in the country.”
Ban said that he was looking forward to working with the prime minister and welcomed Pakistan’s support for regional cooperation, particularly as it contributes to support stability and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
“I am certain that, under your leadership, the partnership that has been built over the years between Pakistan and the UN will continue to grow,” the secretary-general said.
Separately, President Karzai expressed confidence that with mutual effort and cooperation Pakistan and Afghanistan would be able to fight the menace of terrorism.
In his message of felicitation to Nawaz Sharif on Sunday, the Afghan leader also extended an invitation to the prime minister to visit Kabul.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2013.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Afghan President Hamid Karzai have expressed confidence in the leadership of new Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
In a congratulatory message, the UN chief said he was confident that under Nawaz’s leadership, Pakistan would build on its democratic achievements and strengthen its existing partnership with the world body.
“I would like to reiterate my welcome for the first-ever transition in Pakistan from one civilian government to another,” Ban wrote to Prime Minister Nawaz.
“By exercising their constitutional right to vote, the people of Pakistan have reaffirmed their desire for a democratic Pakistan ... This is a significant step forward for democracy in the country.”
Ban said that he was looking forward to working with the prime minister and welcomed Pakistan’s support for regional cooperation, particularly as it contributes to support stability and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
“I am certain that, under your leadership, the partnership that has been built over the years between Pakistan and the UN will continue to grow,” the secretary-general said.
Separately, President Karzai expressed confidence that with mutual effort and cooperation Pakistan and Afghanistan would be able to fight the menace of terrorism.
In his message of felicitation to Nawaz Sharif on Sunday, the Afghan leader also extended an invitation to the prime minister to visit Kabul.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2013.