Commonwealth Secretary General calls on Foreign Minister

(2012-02-16)

Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma called on Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, today. The Foreign Minister welcomed the Secretary General to Pakistan on his first official visit and underlined the importance Pakistan attached to the Commonwealth.

The Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan’s desire for greater engagement with the Commonwealth. She said that while Pakistan had benefitted from the Commonwealth in the restoration of democracy, Pakistan was now in a position to share its democratic experiences with other Commonwealth countries and contribute effectively towards strengthening best practices and democratic principles as contained in the Harare Declaration of the Commonwealth.

The Foreign Minister stated that Pakistan, as a democratic country and the second largest member of the Commonwealth, was well-placed to promote Commonwealth agenda of democracy and development.

The Secretary General thanked the Foreign Minister for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He expressed his pleasure at the 20th amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, commenting that free and fair elections were the hallmark of a true democracy. He assured the Foreign Minister of Commonwealth’s interest in enhancing the engagement with Pakistan in all areas to promote Commonwealth objectives.

Islamabad
16 February 2012

036/2012