Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi has concluded a very highlysuccessful visit to New York where he attended the 76th session of theUnited Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The foreign minister attended the opening session of the 76th session ofthe UNGA and addressed the Council on Foreign Relations on 21 September inwhich he spoke about Pakistan-US relations as well as the situation inAfghanistan.
On 21 September, the foreign minister attended the D8 Council of MinistersForum.
He had an extensive media interaction and addressed the Pakistani-Americancommunity in New York, a press release said.
During his visit, the foreign minister met High Representative of theEuropean Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President ofthe European Commission, Josep Borrell.
The two leaders had an in-depth discussion on Pakistan-EU relations,including the strategic partnership. Afghanistan related cooperation andthe way forward were also discussed.
Qureshi also addressed a virtual forum on ‘How changing water availabilityfrom ice and snow will impact our societies’.
He had a detailed meeting with US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. Awide-ranging discussion was held covering bilateral relations and thesituation in Afghanistan. The US side expressed appreciation for Pakistan’sevacuation related assistance.
The same day, the foreign minister chaired a meeting of the OIC ContactGroup on Kashmir. It was the only contact group meeting held on thesidelines of the 76th UNGA. It brought together foreign ministers ofcontact group member states who expressed concern at the human rightsviolations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK).
On September 23, the foreign minister attended and spoke at the “Unitingfor Consensus” ministerial meeting.
Qureshi also had a dinner interaction with leading Pakistani-Americaninvestors and entrepreneurs.
Read Top Stories
Other engagements of the foreign minister on the sidelines of the 76thsession of the UN General Assembly included meetings with US SpecialRepresentative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, PresidentInternational Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, UN HighCommissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, UN Secretary-General, AntonioGuterres and President General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid.
During these interactions, the foreign minister, inter Alia, highlightedPakistan’s efforts to avert a humanitarian tragedy in Afghanistan.
He called upon his interlocutors to provide while hearted assistance toAfghanistan.
He also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from variouscountries.
The foreign minister spoke to Pakistani media representatives in New Yorkand briefed them on Pakistan’s position on important issues, including theemerging situation in Afghanistan.
He also spoke with other eminent media entities including the New YorkTimes, TRT World, Al Jazeera, UN Correspondents and the Associated Press.
He also had a virtual discussion with the Foreign Press Association(International Press).
During his stay in New York, the foreign minister held an interaction withSenator James Risch, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign RelationsCommittee (Virtual).
His was highly successful, extensively covered and drew praise fromdifferent quarters
