Nawaz Sharif to give bilateral talks at Riyadh a miss

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will not hold bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the US-Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, the foreign ministry said Saturday.

A statement issued by the foreign ministry said, “The format and the very full agenda of the half day US-Arab-Islamic Summit at Riyadh does not permit sideline bilateral meetings of the Prime Minister.”

It added, “The summit is expected to have the participation of more than 35 leaders of the Islamic world as well as Secretary Generals of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation), Arab League and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) leaving no space for any additional agenda.”

PM Sharif will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from May 21-22 on the invitation of King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz to participate in the first trilateral US-Arab-Islamic Summit.

In addition to King Salman and US President Donald  Trump, 55 heads of state and government from the Muslim world have been invited to participate in the Summit.

The Summit in Riyadh will provide an opportunity for the participating countries to discuss how to overcome the menace of terrorism and extremism across the world.

It is expected to delink ‘terrorism’ from any particular religion, culture, civilization or region.

“In his address at the Summit, as well as during his interaction with world leaders, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will focus on Islam’s message of peace, tolerance and unity,” the Foreign Office said.

The Prime Minister will highlight the great sacrifices and major successes achieved by Pakistan in defeating the scourge of terrorism and extremism in the region, it said.

He will also join the world leaders to attend the inauguration ceremony of the World Centre against Extremism, an important counter-radicalization initiative by Saudi Arabia.