News
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Pakistan’s envoy presents credentials to Ban Ki-moon
NEW YORK: Pakistan’s new permanent representative to the United Nations, Abdullah Hussain Haroon, presented his credentials to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations headquarters on Monday. Afterwards, Ambassador Haroon told reporters that he had conveyed President Asif Ali Zardari’s greetings to the UN chief. Haroon said that during his 30-minute meeting with the secretary-general, he had praised the latter for backing the much-needed ‘dialogue among civilisations’, the critical issue of climate change and the anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The ambassador complimented the UN chief for pushing for the implementation of MDGs. Haroon said Ban spoke very warmly about Zardari, saying he would call the new president after he was sworn-in. The secretary-general also expressed his desire to visit Pakistan. Haroon said he had told the UN chief that Pakistan would continue playing a positive and constructive role at the UN. Replying to a question, the ambassador said he also raised the issue of Pakistan’s request for the constitution of a UN commission to investigate the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. The request has been pending with the UN chief since July. He said the secretary-general had told him his doors were open for further discussions on the subject. The permanent representative was accompanied by Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative Farukh Amil. Ban Ki-moon was assisted by his senior aides – Lynn Pascoe, Vijay Nambiar and Kishore Mandani. app
Courtesy Daily Times