Musharraf will continue efforts for peace in region

* PM says Pakistan wants Kashmir solution according to Kashmiris’ wishes
* Qatar can play vital role in fulfilling Pakistan’s energy needs

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will continue efforts for sustainable peace in the South Asian region and the world, President General Pervez Musharraf told Nigerian Army chief Lt Gen ML Agwai during a meeting at the Army House in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

President Musharraf and Lt Gen Agwai discussed matters of mutual interest and professional importance. The president briefed the Nigerian Army chief on Pakistan’s role in the war on terror, the composite dialogue process with India, its efforts in conflict resolution and matters pertaining to the army.

The president said that the settlement of political conflicts was a must for a durable peace around the world. He said that the Nigerian Army chief’s visit to Pakistan would help enhance ties between the two armies.

The Nigerian Army chief praised the Pakistan Army’s professional capabilities and demonstrated an interest in the purchase of defence equipment. Senior military and civil officers were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Saturday that Pakistan wants a just solution of the Kashmir issue in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people to ensure sustainable peace in the region.

Talking to Muhammad Hayat Khan, the Azad Kashmir Pakistan Muslim League (PML) president, he said that Pakistan will continue to support the Kashmiri people and provide resources for the development of Kashmir. Khan appreciated the government’s Kashmir policy and apprised the prime minister of the Kashmir PML’s organisational issues.

Talking to the new Qatari Ambassador Hamad Ali Al-Hinzab, Aziz said that Pakistan and Qatar enjoy cordial relations, and the latter could play an important role in fulfilling Pakistan’s energy requirements.

The prime minister said that Qatar had made sizeable investments in projects within Pakistan in the past, adding that a large number of Pakistanis were working in Qatar. He said the two countries agree on a host of issues, both regional and global. He added that Pakistan’s growing economy provides an excellent opportunity for investment in real estate, construction and power generation from Qatar. The prime minister accepted an invitation from the ambassador to visit Qatar.

Talking to World Bank advisor Judith Heumann later, the prime minister stressed on the need to reach out and integrate disabled people into society, so that they may reach their potential as useful citizens and make valuable contributions to society. He urged the civil society, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and philanthropists to play their part in this regard.

Aziz said that no nation can progress unless women work equally alongside men. He said that his government had been pursuing a policy of inclusion, and had mandated the representation of women in all tiers of the government. online/nni

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