PM leaves for Tajikistan to attend SCO summit

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday left here for Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe to represent Pakistan at the annual SCO Heads of Government Council meeting.

The Prime Minister was seen off at Chaklala Air Base by members of federal cabinet and services chiefs.

At the SCO platform, Gilani will present the country’s view-point on various matters including the need for enhanced regional cooperation in diverse fields especially trade and economy, energy and other areas for mutual benefit.

Talking to reporters prior to his departure at the Chaklala Air Base, Prime Minister Gilani said he would discuss enhanced security and economic cooperation with the regional leaders.

He said Pakistan would make efforts for the permanent membership of SCO in view of the forum’s importance in economic cooperation and maintaining regional security.

He said Pakistan wanted to benefit from the expertise of SCO member countries in taking measures against terrorism and extremism.

On the sidelines of SCO summit, Gilani will hold bilateral meetings with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Prime Minister Okil Okinov, Russian Prime Minister Vldimir Putin, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Kazhymkanovich.

With Premier Wen Jiabao, Gilani said he would discuss the ways to strengthen economic cooperation. He said the Chinese premier was expected to visit Pakistan next month and hoped that the visit would broaden the horizon of bilateral relationship.
Gilani said with Russian prime minister Putin, he would discuss expansion of Pakistan Steel Mills and also the issue of regional security.

The Prime Minister entourage comprised Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resource Syed Naveed Qamar and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan.