ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi concluded Sunday the week-long visit to the United States where he attended the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The foreign minister attended the opening session of the event and addressed the Council on Foreign Relations on September 21 in which he spoke about the Pakistan-US relationship as well as the situation in Afghanistan.
On September 21, the foreign minister attended the D8 Council of Ministers Meetings.
He had an extensive media interaction and addressed the Pakistani-American community in New York, a Foreign Office press statement said.
During his visit, the foreign minister met High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles.
The two had an in-depth discussion on Pakistan-EU relations, including the strategic partnership. Afghanistan-related cooperation and the way forward were also discussed.
Qureshi also addressed a virtual forum titled “How changing water availability from ice and snow will impact our societies”.
He also held a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. A wide-ranging discussion was held covering bilateral relations and the situation in Afghanistan. Blinken expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s assistance in the evacuation flights.
The same day, the foreign minister chaired a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir. It was the only contact group meeting held on the sidelines of the session. It brought together foreign ministers of member states who expressed concern at the human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
On September 23, Qureshi attended and spoke at the “Uniting for Consensus” ministerial meeting.
He also had a dinner interaction with leading Pakistan-American investors and entrepreneurs.
Other engagements included meetings with US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, International Committee of the Red Cross President Peter Maurer, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid.
During these interactions, the foreign minister, inter Alia, highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to avert a humanitarian tragedy in Afghanistan.
He called on his interlocutors to provide while hearted assistance to Afghanistan.
He also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from various countries.
The foreign minister also spoke to Pakistan media correspondents in New York and briefed them on Islamabad’s position on important issues, including the emerging situation in Afghanistan.
He also spoke with other media houses including the New York Times, TRT World, Al Jazeera, and The Associated Press.
He also had a virtual discussion with the Foreign Press Association.
During his stay in New York, the foreign minister held a virtual interaction with Senator James Risch, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
