PR. No.199/2008

Date: 02/07/2008   

UNAMA CHIEF CALLS ON THE FOREIGN MINISTER

Mr. Kai Eide, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG) and Chief of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA), who is visiting Pakistan , called on the Foreign Minister today. He has been appointed recently by the UN Security Council and this is his first visit to Pakistan .

During the call Mr. Kai Eide briefed the Foreign Minister on the role of UNAMA in Afghanistan . The evolving situation in Afghanistan also came up for discussion.

The Foreign Minister highlighted the importance Pakistan attached to peace, stability and reconstruction in Afghanistan . In this respect he informed Mr. Kai Eide on the assistance Pakistan has been extending to Afghanistan in these fields. The Foreign Minister also underlined the need for greater international assistance for the repatriation, resettlement and rehabilitation of Afghan refugees.

Mr. Kai Eide thanked Pakistan for hosting Afghan refugees in such a large number and over the decades and pledging of US$ 20 million by Pakistan for their repatriation and resettlement in the recently held conference on Afghanistan in Paris . He also lauded Pakistan 's assistance to Afghanistan in the reconstruction and security fields.

The Foreign Minister assured Mr. Kai Eide of Pakistan 's continued support to the UN role in Afghanistan and wished Mr. Kai Eide success in his challenging assignment.

Islamabad

02 July 2008