PM Abbasi due Tuesday to attend CHOGM 2018

LONDON: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will arrive Tuesday to lead the Pakistani delegation to the 25th Commonwealth Heads of  Government Meeting (CHOGM-2018) being held in London from Wednesday to Friday (April 18 to 20).

The main theme of the conference is "Towards A Common Future.” Pakistan is one of the founding members of the organization. The current membership of the Commonwealth consists of 53 member states reflecting diversity of all continents of the world.

Commonwealth provides a market of over 2.2 billion people, spread across all six continents, covering nearly a quarter of the world’s land mass and a combined GDP of GBP 6.9 trillion.

The participation in CHOGM-2018 would provide an opportunity to highlight the advances made by Pakistan including its transition to a modern and dynamic emerging market, which is an attractive destination for business, investment and trade.

During his stay in London, the prime minister will call on Queen Elizabeth II, Prince of Wales and meet the British leadership.

It will also provide an opportunity to meet other Commonwealth leaders and exchange views on matters of mutual interest.

Prime Minister Abbasi will participate actively in all executive and retreat sessions as well as a number of events being held on the sidelines of the CHOGM.

Pakistan High Commissioner to UK Syed Ibne Abbas while talking to APP termed CHOGM-2018 "a good opportunity" for Pakistan to highlight the country's the achievements in diverse areas of economy and development.

He mentioned the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and said CHOGM will also give us an opportunity to convey message to the world that Pakistan was open for investment.

He said Prime Minister Abbasi will also have the opportunity to interact and have frank discussion with the leaders of Commonwealth countries on various issues of mutual interest during the Executive and Retreat sessions.

The High Commissioner said that Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Commerce Minister Pervaiz Malik will attend various forums of CHOGM-2018.