ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain and President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko Wednesday stressed for resolution of Kashmir issue through peaceful dialogue between Pakistan and India and for a peaceful and prosper South Asia.
President Mamnoon Hussain called upon the international community particularly the friendly countries to urge India to stop atrocities in Occupied Kashmir and give the right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations and the commitment of the founding leaders of India.
The President said this in a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. The two Presidents had one on one meeting which was followed by delegation level talks.
President Mamnoon Hussain said that India was trying to escalate tension at the Line of Control to divert the world community’s attention from its ongoing atrocities and oppression in Occupied Kashmir adding that in the last few months 110 people have lost their lives and more than 12,000 have been injured as a result of oppression by Indian forces in the held Kashmir.
He stated that Kashmiris were fighting for their right to self-determination and the use of lethal force against innocent Kashmiris was violation of international laws. He urged the international community to take notice of it.
The President said that Pakistan was desirous of having friendly relations with its neighbours particularly with India and wants to resolve all issues through dialogue including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
President Mamnoon Hussain and President Alexander Lukashenko have agreed to further promote bilateral relations in the fields of trade, economy, education, defence and culture. This understanding was reached between the two countries during a meeting at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
President Mamnoon Hussain said that bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Belarus was below potential and emphasized the need to further increase it.
He stated that Belarusian investors have an excellent opportunity to benefit from Pakistan’s liberal investment policy and its big market.
He added that Belarusian investors can take advantage from facilities being offered in special economic zones.
The President hoped that Pakistan-Belarus Joint Economic Commission would be beneficial in increasing bilateral trade and stressed on establishing close contacts between the chambers of commerce of two countries.
The President said that many possibilities of cooperation between Pakistan and Belarus existed in areas of textile, agricultural implements, heavy machinery, pharmaceutical, transport and dairy products.
The President expressed optimism that MoUs signed between the two countries in different fields would prove to be a solid foundation for bilateral relations between Pakistan and Belarus.
The President underscored the need for promoting cooperation at parliamentary level between the two countries.
President Mamnoon Hussain noted with satisfaction that arrangements were underway to establish Belarus Chair (Belarusian) in National University of Modern Languages (NUML) in Islamabad and Pakistan Chair (Urdu) in Minsk State Linguistic University.
The President welcomed the establishment of a Belarus Cultural Centre in the National Library of Pakistan and hoped that a similar centre would be established in Minsk.
The visiting dignitary thanked President Mamnoon Hussain for according warm welcome to him and his delegation and said that his country was keen to benefit from Pakistan’s expertise in different sectors.
On the occasion, President Alexander Lukashenko extended an invitation to President Mamnoon Hussain to visit Belarus.
Earlier, upon arrival, President Alexander Lukashenko was warmly received by President Mamnoon Hussain at the main entrance of the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Children clad in traditional dress presented bouquets to the visiting dignitary. President Mamnoon Hussain also hosted a banquet in the honour of President Alexander Lukashenko.
During the delegation level meeting, the Pakistani side included, among others, Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi, Minister of Industries & Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister of Science & Technology/ Defence Production, Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman, Minister of State for Federal Education & Professional Training, Miftah Ismail, Minister of State / Chairman, Board of Investment and Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs.
The Belarusian side included Vladimir Semashko, Deputy Prime Minister, Makei Vladimir, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vitaly Vovk, Minister of Industry, Mikhail Zhuravkov, Minister of Education and Sergei Nalivaiko, Minister of Taxation and Revenue. —APP
