New York - APP
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrived in New York Sunday evening to lead the Pakistan delegation to the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly where he will speak at several events, spelling out the country’s stance on international and regional issues.
He was received at the railway station by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi, and senior officials of the Pakistan Mission to the UN.
During his visit here, Qureshi will go through a tight schedule laid out by the Pakistani mission.
He will attend several high level events and hold close to two dozen bilateral meetings with his counterparts from around the world. Final touches are being given to his engagements.
“The highlight of his visit will of course be his speech in the General Assembly on 29 September in which he will set out the new government’s priorities and its position and policy on key international and regional issue, including the situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir”, Dr. Lodhi told APP.
On Wednesday, Qureshi will address the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation’s Contact Group on Kashmir on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
He will also speak on Sept 28 at the Asia Society where he will interact with American academics, foreign policy experts and students.
He is also scheduled to give a number of interviews to international media.
Before his departure from Washington, he told reporters that his government is pursuing policy of re-engagement and reconnecting with its old allies who have stood with Pakistan during testing times.
More than 128 world leaders are set to address the 193-member Assembly on a wide-raging agenda that includes the full spectrum of international issues — sustainable development, climate change, peace and security, human rights, public health concerns and gender equality.
US authorities have imposed massive security measures around the UN complex to protect the visiting world leaders.