Shah Mehmood Qureshi refutes rumours of meeting Indian counterpart

In an interview with a foreign newspaper, the Pakistani Foreign Minister said that the purpose of his visit to UAE was Pak-UAE relations and not Pak-India relations.

FM Quereshi said that the main purpose of the visit was to improve bilateral relations although Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are completing 50 years of friendship and relations between the two countries will be further improved.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan's interest.

Earlier the day, in a telephonic conversation with his Afghan counterpart Mohammed Haneef Atmar, the foreign minister said that Pakistan is a partner in peace efforts in the region, including Afghanistan.

Qureshi further stated Pakistan is committed to continuing its conciliatory assistance to make Afghanistan peaceful and stable.

The minister expressed hope that the "Istanbul Process" will help make the Doha Agreement fruitful in the pursuit of lasting peace in Afghanistan.

While appreciating Pakistan's continued diplomatic, political and moral support in making the Afghan peace process fruitful, the Afghan foreign minister thanked Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Pakistani leadership.

Both the foreign ministers agreed to meet in Istanbul.

Meanwhile, Shah Mahmood Qureshi also invited the Afghan Foreign Minister to Islamabad after the Istanbul process meeting.

On the other hand, Shah Mahmood Qureshi is on a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to further enhance the bilateral trade relations and cooperation in diverse fields.

The minister believes that the aim of his visit will promote trade relations between Pakistan and UAE in multiple sectors.

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi is on a three-day official visit to the UAE. During the visit, the Foreign Minister met his counterpart, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other UAE dignitaries.

The Foreign Minister will also meet the Pakistani diaspora and interact with local and international media.

The Foreign Minister will hold consultations with the UAE’s leadership on all areas of bilateral cooperation including collaboration in trade and investment, job opportunities for the Pakistani workforce and the welfare of the Pakistani diaspora. He will also discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest.  

Pakistan and the UAE enjoy strong fraternal ties, rooted deep in common faith and shared history and values. High-level visits between the two countries have played a pivotal role in providing further impetus to strengthening bilateral cooperation and collaboration on a wide range of issues.