Palestinian President to visit Pakistan on Saturday

Palestinian President Mehmood Abbas is to undertake a visit of Pakistan on Saturday.

This was stated by the Spokesman Foreign Office Moazam Khan in his weekly briefing in Islamabad today. The Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Moazzam Ahmed Khan, said the Palestinian leader,  who will be paying visit on the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari, will hold talks with the Pakistani leadership on matters of mutual interest.

The spokesman said Pakistan played an instrumental role in getting the Palestinians observer status in the United Nations and UNICEF.

He said the Palestinian President will hold talks with the Pakistani leadership on the matters of mutual interest.

The spokesman said peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan and Pakistan always believes in Afghan led and Afghan administered peace process.

To a question about the announcement by the U.S. President Barrack Obama in his State of the Union address to pull out 34000 American troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, he said Pakistan hopes this withdrawal will be in a responsible manner.

Replying to another questioner the Foreign Office spokesman said there is no change in Pakistan’s policy towards Kashmir.

He said Pakistan considers Kashmir a disputed territory and provides diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris in their struggle against Indian occupation. He said peace and stability is the in the interest of both countries and dialogue is the only way in resolving problems between the two countries.

The spokesman said that a procedure is being considered to hand over Gwadar Port to China. He said it is a matter between Pakistan and China and no other country need to be involved in it.

He said Pakistan has so for released 28 Taliban. He said Pakistan is not part of Qatar dialogue however‚ we support these efforts.