UNGA President meets President Alvi, PM Imran Khan and FM Qureshi during Pakistan visit
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Volkan Bozkir urged Pakistan to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the UN “more strongly” and said a special session could be held on the issue if enough countries petitioned for it.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad along with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the UNGA president lamented what he said was a lack of large political will for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute compared to the Palestinian issue which had more will behind it.
“I think it is the duty, especially Pakistan’s, to bring this [issue] to the United Nation platform more strongly,” said Bozkir, adding that he agreed that the Palestinian issue and the Kashmir issue were similiar.
He called on all parties to refrain from changing the status of Jammu and Kashmir and said a solution was to be found through peaceful means in accordance with the UN Charter and UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions as agreed in the Simla Agreement between Pakistan and India.
President Alvi presents Hilal-e-Pakistan to UNGA President
Pakistan on Thursday conferred its highest civilian award Hilal-e-Pakistan to visiting UNGA President at the President House in the capital Islamabad.
During their meeting, Alvi and Bozkir exchanged views on a wide range of issues. President Alvi expressed his country’s “strong commitment to the central role of the UN in upholding multilateralism to foster peace, prosperity, and harmony around the globe.”
UNGA President meets PM Khan
Volkan Bozkir also called on Prime Minister Imran Khan to discuss a number of issues pertaining to regional and international peace and security, sustainable development and economic recovery efforts in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
They also exchanged views n the UN agenda such as Palestine, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, Afghan peace process, and illicit financial flows from proceeds of crime, corruption and bribery.
PM Khan lauded the UNGA’s role in convening the special meeting of the General Assembly on Palestine, stressing that following the announcement of ceasefire steps should be taken to revive the peace process and ensure a just and lasting solution in line with relevant UN resolutions and two-state vision.
PM Khan also highlighted the need for enhanced international cooperation, under the UN auspices, to address climate change and environmental degradation, as well as debt relief to support the developing countries’ economic recovery efforts and attainment of Sustainable Development Goals by the target date of 2030.
Bozkir was on an official visit to Pakistan from 26 to 28 May 2021, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Bozkir is the first Turkish president of the UN General Assembly. He earlier visited Pakistan in August 2020 and also met the Prime Minister on that occasion.