FM Qureshi leaves for US to attend UN General Assembly session

FM Qureshi leaves for US to attend UN General Assembly session

Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood left for the United States on Friday night to participate in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session.

The foreign minister will lead the Pakistani delegation at the General Assembly's current session which opened on September 18.

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua is also accompanying the foreign minister in his week-long visit to the United States.

In the UN General Assembly session, Shah Mahmood Qureshi will present Pakistan's stance on host of issues including the Kashmir dispute.

The foreign Minister will also meet his counterparts belonging to different countries, hold talks with the US administration and address the Pakistani community in Washington.

A key meeting was also expected to be held between Qureshi and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj as it was decided by both countries.

However, Indian government on Friday announced the cancellation of meeting between Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his counterpart Sushma Swaraj.

Meanwhile, the government of Pakistan on Friday stated it was deeply disappointed at the announcement made by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi about cancellation of the meeting of the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the reasons cited by the Indian side for the decision to cancel the Foreign Ministers' meeting, within 24 hours of its public confirmation, were entirely unconvincing.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said the alleged killing of BSF soldier took place two days prior to the Indian announcement of its agreement to hold the bilateral meeting.

He added that Pakistan categorically reject these allegations once again and offer to conduct a joint investigation to establish the truth.