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RIYADH – Visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi addressed a large gathering of Pakistani community at the Pakistan Embassy complex here, Saturday evening.
Overseas Pakistanis, Qureshi said, played an important role in the restoration of democracy and economic development of the country.
He said that their remittances were providing tremendous support to the country’s economy. He said that democratic institutions in Pakistan have grown strong, and reached maturity.
He said the present government has in its credit of having independent judiciary, free media, announcement of NFC award and decentralization of power.
He said that the government was aware of the challenges confronting the country and is taking appropriate measures to overcome them.
The foreign minister who arrived in the Kingdom on Friday held wide-ranging talks with Prince Saud Al-Faisal, his Saudi counterpart on Saturday and expressed his concerns about India’s growing engagement in Afghanistan.
Qureshi was briefed by the Saudi side about Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Riyadh earlier this month.
Qureshi spoke very candidly on a range of subjects including constitutional reforms in Pakistan, the OIC, Saudi-Pakistani relations, and Pakistani-US ties with special reference to the US military and economic aid.
Responding to a question, Qureshi revealed that Pakistan would be “receiving about $2.1 billion funds from the US before June” this year.
Asked about reports of India’s intentions to seek a Saudi role in resolving differences with Pakistan, he said he thought India may not have pursued this as it always discourages third-party involvement.
He, however, said that he has no reservations if New Delhi wants to involve the Kingdom to bolster the prospect of peace. – SG

JEDDAH – Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Pakistani Foreign Minister, is arriving in the Kingdom on April 2. Qureshi will convey a message from President Asif Ali Zardari to King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, focusing on ways to further boost the existing strong bilateral relations.
The minister will also brief the Monarch on the developments in his country and South Asia.
Abdul Aziz Al-Ghadeer, the Kingdom’s Ambassador to Pakistan, said the minister’s visit comes as part of the constant consultation and coordination between the two countries on developments in the Middle East especially in Palestine, Iraq and Iran.
Qureshi will also hold talks with his counterpart, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, covering developments in Pakistan besides the latest regional and global developments. The talks will mainly focus on enhancement of bilateral relations, ways of boosting joint Islamic work and bilateral efforts to combat terrorism, the ambassador said.
A Pakistani source said Qureshi will brief Prince Saud on the outcome of the recent dialogue between Pakistan and India.
Addressing a recent press conference in Islamabad, Qureshi welcomed any mediation by the Kingdom for the improvement of India and Pakistan relations. “Pakistan will never object to such efforts if they come from a friendly country like the Kingdom which has a long history of good relations with Pakistan,” Qureshi was reported by the media as saying. – Okaz/SG

NEW DELHI: Indias scheduled tour of Pakistan next month was called off on government advice yesterday following last months Mumbai terrorist attacks.

The decision, announced in Parliament by Sports Minister M.S. Gill, confirmed fears that the visit would be canceled after the attacks, which killed scores of people. Indian authorities say the attacks were committed by militants from Pakistan.

India had been due to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international between Jan. 8 and Feb. 19.

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ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani Air Force spokesman says Indian aircraft violated Pakistani airspace but were chased back over the border late last night.

The violation comes amid heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed countries over last months deadly attack in Mumbai. India has said the attack had roots in Pakistan.

Pakistan Air Commodore Humayun Viquar says the Indian aircraft crossed over the border some 4 km in Azad Kashmir and over Lahore. He would not say how many Indian aircraft were involved or give the exact time.

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