SHANGHAI: President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday reiterated Pakistan's unswerving commitment towards regional peace and stability, observing that it desired long-lasting peace in the region, which was essential for the socio-economic betterment of people.
The President stated this during his meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on the sidelines of CICA summit being held in Shanghai, China.
Discussing regional situation, he said Pakistan was keen to promote its friendly relations with the neighboring countries and sought greater linkages and mutual interactions especially economic and trade relations for the mutual benefit of the people of region.
Briefing about the meeting, Press Secretary to the President Ms. Saba Mohsin Raza said the meeting discussed situation in the region especially focusing on Pakistan's contribution towards promoting regional peace, security and stability, UN efforts towards promoting socio-economic development of the region and the government's efforts and various measures being taken in pursuit of advancing social development agenda especially the MDGs.
The President said Pakistan had always stood for Afghan- owned and Afghan-led solution of the issues in Afghanistan and was committed to support Afghan brethren towards their efforts for peace, stability and development.
He said Pakistan sought to promote friendly relations with India and wanted peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues, including the issue of Kashmir in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people.
The President also briefed the UN Secretary General about various efforts being made by the present democratic government, including the dialogue process to meet the challenge of extremism and militancy.
Discussing UN's development agenda, the President reiterated commitment of the government towards bringing qualitative change in the lives of the people. Highlighting the government's commitment towards social sector, he also mentioned various steps being taken to achieve MDGs.
The UN Secretary General expressed satisfaction over the government's efforts towards finding solution to the issue of extremism, stabilizing the economy of the country and following growth oriented policies to promote socio-economic growth and development.
He appreciated the government and the people of Pakistan for their positive role towards promoting regional peace, especially in the neighboring Afghanistan and also hosting Afghan refugees.
Ban Ki-Moon assured the President that the United Nations would continue to assist the government and the people of Pakistan in their efforts for socio-economic development and realizing the goal of long-lasting peace, stability and development in the region.
Ms Saba Mohsin said President Mamnoon Hussain greatly appreciated the dynamic leadership that Ban Ki-Moon has provided to the United Nations and lauded his services and efforts for promoting global peace, security, support for democracy and global economic and sustainable development.
Highlighting UN Secretary General's contributions for the welfare of people of Pakistan, the President observed that the people of Pakistan highly valued the support of Ban Ki-Moon towards strengthening of democracy, promotion of education and socio-economic development and fighting the scourge of extremism and militancy.
He said Pakistan greatly valued its partnership with the United Nations in various fields and was committed to contribute in every possible manner towards maintenance of international peace and security under the UN flag and promoting regional as well as global growth and development.
He said Pakistan had been playing a lead role in the UN peacekeeping, which was a manifestation of our commitment towards global peace and stability.
The UN Secretary General expressed his deep sense of satisfaction over Pakistan's contribution towards peace keeping efforts and commended the positive and constructive role being played by Pakistan in the United Nations.
Those, who were present during the meeting, included Special Assistant to the PM on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary, Secretary to the President Ahmed Farooq, Ambassador of Pakistan to China Masood Khalid and Press Secretary to the President Ms Saba Mohsin Raza.
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