No possibility of PM’s bilateral meetings with world leaders including President Trump
ISLAMABAD: Foreign office says there is no possibility of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s bilateral meetings on the side lines of the US-Arab Islamic Summit in Riyadh. In response to media reports about the possibility of the Prime Minister’s bilateral meetings Foreign office spokesman said Saturday that the format and the very full agenda of the half day Summit, which is expected to have the participation of more than 35 leaders of the Islamic world as well as Secretary Generals of the OIC, Arab League and GCC, does not permit sideline bilateral meetings.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from 21-22 May 2017 at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, to participate in the first trilateral US-Arab-Islamic Summit, to be held in Riyadh on 21 May 2017.
In addition to King Salman and US President Donald J. Trump, 55 Heads of State and Government from the Muslim world will participate in the Summit.
The Summit in Riyadh will provide an opportunity for the participating countries to discuss how to overcome the menace of terrorism and extremism across the world. The Summit is expected to delink ‘terrorism’ from any particular religion, culture, civilization or region.
The spokesman said in his address at the Summit, the Prime Minister will focus on Islam’ message of peace, tolerance and unity. He will highlight the great sacrifices and major successes achieved by Pakistan in defeating the scourge of terrorism and extremism in the region.
The Prime Minister will also join the world leaders to attend the inauguration ceremony of the World Centre against Extremism, an important counter-radicalization initiative by Saudi Arabia.
INP