Restructuring of OIC: Pakistan PM to discuss with Saudi leaders
Pakistan Times Federal Bureau Report

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Friday that he will take up the restructuring of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) with the Saudi leadership.

Talking to newsmen at Chaklala airbase before his departure to Jeddah Shaukat Aziz said he will be addressing Jeddah Economic Forum today (Saturday) with an objective to attract Saudi investment in Pakistan.

He said he will also hold a meeting with the new OIC Secretary General and discuss restructuring and reformation process of the organisation to make it an effective body.

Answering a question, the Prime Minister said start of Srinagar-Muzaffarbad bus service will be a substantive CBM towards Pakistan and India which will help move forward the dialogue process.

He said during his meeting with the Indian External Affairs Minister he made it clear that Kashmir is a core issue and positive development on this issue is essential to move forward the peace process.

He said Pakistan intends to resolve Kashmir issue according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people. He said he also hold discussion with the Indian Minister on Baglihar Dam and Kishan Ganga projects and expressed Pakistan’s concern on the issue.

The Prime Minister said that he will share with the Saudi leadership the regional and international situation besides discussing bilateral matters.

Mr Shaukat Aziz said he will discuss with the Saudi leadership the latest situation in Palestine, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. He said he will brief them about the latest situation of Pak-India dialogue process.

The Prime Minister said, he also discussed with the Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Badawi, who is also the chairman of the OIC, the challenges facing the Ummah and the collective need to fight these.

Answering a question, the Prime Minister said start of Srinagar-Muzaffarbad bus service will be a substantive CBM which will help move forward the dialogue process between the two countries, adding that the decision was the outcome of efforts made through backdoor channel diplomacy.

He, however stressed that the stance of Pakistan remained the same over the Kashmir issue. “Kashmir remains the core issue and needs to be solved in accordance with the wishes of its people.”

About Baglihar and Kishan Ganga dams, Prime Minister said, he conveyed his concern to the Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh over the matter.

Shaukat Aziz said “we wish to improve the ties between the two countries and create an environment where there are multi-dimensional linkages and people to people contacts.”

The two countries are also moving forward to open Consulates at Karachi and Mumbai, on the basis of reciprocity.

APP from Jeddah adds: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will have a very busy schedule on February 19, starting with his key note address at Jeddah Economic Forum which will be followed by question answer session. Shaukat Aziz will also visit Islamic Development Bank and hold meeting with President of the Bank. Later in the afternoon, the Prime Minister will visit the OIC Secretariat and meet the Secretary General to discuss various aspects of promoting the role of the 57-member grouping.

The Secretary General of OIC will also host lunch in honour of the Prime Minister and members of his delegation.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will also meet Pakistani community living in Jeddah to exchange views on various matters.

He will then leave for Madina to pay ‘Salam’ at Roza-e-Rasool, (Peace Be Upon Him). The Prime Minister will offer ‘nawafil’ and ‘Maghreb’ Prayers at the Masjid-e-Nabvi and also offer special prayers for the prosperity, progress and welfare of Pakistanis and Muslim Ummah.

Later, in the evening, the Prime Minister will leave for Riyadh on the last leg of his visit.

On Sunday he will call on King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and hold a meeting with Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of National Guard of Saudi Arabia.

The Prime Minister will also meet Saudi Finance Minister and members of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce besides meeting a number of leading Saudi businessmen. A group of Pakistani professionals working in Riyadh will also meet Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on the same day before his departure for Pakistan.

Earlier at his arrival at Jeddah airport the Prime Minister was warmly received by Saudi officials, President Islamic Developemnt Bank Dr. Ahmed Muhmmad Ali, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia Abdul Aziz Mirza and officials of Jeddah Economic Forum at Royal Terminal of Abdul Aziz airport.

He is accompanied by Federal Minister for Housing Syed Safwanullah, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister for Population Welfare Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain, Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor, Chairman Board of Investment Waseem Haqquie, Minister for Privatization Hafeez Sheikh, Chairman Export Promotion Bureau Tariq Akram, Members of the National Assembly Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Nazir Ahmed Jat, Rais Munir Ahmed, Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan.●