UNGA president discusses Kashmir, regional matters with FM Qureshi

 

ISLAMABAD: President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Maria Fernanda Espinosa called on Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.

This is the first visit by a president of the General Assembly to Pakistan in eight years, and Espinosa‘s first visit to any country in Asia since assuming office.

The two parties discussed the Kashmir issue as well as other regional matters during the meeting. Espinosa and FM Qureshi agreed that the UN is an indispensable platform to maintain peace and find solutions to the issues.

The foreign minister informed the president of the General Assembly about the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir and shared his concerns over India’s continued human rights atrocities in the region. 

“The implementation of UN Security Council’s resolution should be made a must in the light of the Kashmir issue,” Qureshi said. “We can only find a solution to world problems through joint efforts."

Maria Fernanda Espinosa also called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at the PM Office. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr Maleeha Lodhi were also present during the meeting. 

During her five-day visit, the UNGA president will meet representatives of the UN and civil society. 

She is also expected to meet members of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme and visit Pakistan’s Peacekeeping Training Centre.

Espinosa will also address members of academia, think tanks and students.