NEW YORK: US Secretary of State John Kerry in his meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appreciated Pakistan’s counter terrorism efforts and the success of anti-terror operation.
Meeting on the sidelines of 70th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Secretary Kerry expressed grief and sorrow over the recent terrorist attack on Pakistan Air force (PAF) camp in Badaber.
While discussing bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, he conveyed to Nawaz that US President Barack Obama is looking forward to the premier’s visit to Washington in October.
The PM expressed deep concern over the Indian ceasefire violations alongside the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary (WB) while reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to resolve all issues through dialogue
Discussing the regional security situation, Kerry also lauded Pakistan’s efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
President Macky Sall of Senegal also met PM Nawaz and praised Pakistan’s contribution to counter-terrorism and expressed his country’s interest in defence cooperation, including procurement of defence equipment from Pakistan.
Sall hailed Pakistan as one of the most important countries in OIC and the Muslim world and also praised Pakistan’s efforts towards counter-terrorism.
The Senegal president also sought to benefit from Pakistan’s expertise in scientific research, science and technology, and agriculture.
PM while spelling out his vision for developing a robust relationship based on mutual interests and sustained development with African nations offered sale of defence equipment including Pakistan’s famed JF-17 Thunder aircrafts.
Nawaz further invited companies from Senegal to take advantage of Pakistan’s liberal investment regime as both leaders agreed to explore ways to lift bilateral trade volume from its current level of $37 million.
The PM extended an invitation to the Senegalese president to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience. He also requested Senegal open an embassy in Islamabad soon.
At the multilateral level, cooperation in the UN and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was discussed.
In his meeting with South Korean Prime Minister, PM Nawaz lauded the role of Korean investors in Pakistan and invited more Korean companies to invest in Pakistan in special economic zones, especially in the energy sector.
After a discussion on cooperation in UN, the two countries agreed to coordinate closely to support each other’s candidatures for various UN bodies over the next few years.
Accepting Nawaz’s invitation, President of South Korea agreed to visit Pakistan.
The Prime Minister on this visit is assisted by Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the PM on National Security & Foreign Affairs, Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Mr. Tariq Fatemi, Minister of State/Special Assistant to the PM on Foreign Affairs along with a number of other senior officials.