CHOGM18: PM participates in retreat sessions, holds meetings with world leaders

LONDON: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the second day of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 (CHOGM) in London joined the leaders of Commonwealth countries at three retreat sessions of the summit.

During the retreat sessions held in Windsor Castle, the prime minister interacted and had detailed discussion on various issues of mutual interest with several leaders from Commonwealth of Nations.

The retreat sessions held discussions on the challenges of 21st century and other topics such as health and sustainable development.

Pakistan being a founder member of the 53-member Commonwealth had been playing active role in the organization.

Meanwhile, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met UK Prime Minister Theresa May on the sidelines of the Commonwealth leaders retreat at Windsor Castle in London.

The two leaders discussed matters of bilateral interest. The PM Abbasi highlighting the plight of Kashmiri people urged the international community to respond to the current human rights situation in Occupied Kashmir.

He also apprised Theresa May of Pakistan’s efforts in fighting terrorism and extremism. He also underscored the need of strengthening bilateral relations in trade and investment.

PM May appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in fighting terrorism. She also appreciated Abbasi’s efforts for peace in Afghanistan. She underscored the importance of enhancing trade between the two countries.

Commonwealth leaders have agreed that Prince Charles should follow his mother Queen Elizabeth II as the next head of the organisation.

Queen Elizabeth, earlier told leaders from the 53 member states that it was her wish for her eldest son to succeed her in the symbolic figurehead role.

The non-hereditary role would not have automatically passed to Prince Charles, with some suggestions it might rotate among the 53 leaders.

Interacting with several leaders on the sidelines of the Commonwealth summit in London, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has underlined the imperative need of ensuring justice for the people of occupied lands who continue to be subjected to state sponsored oppression.

He said shared goal of shaping peaceful societies will remain elusive without guaranteeing fundamental freedoms and resolving disputes.

The premier also cautioned against indulgence in blame games and politicization for domestic and external goals and said such steps were not conducive to address the scourge of terrorism.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also highlighted connectivity in the context of enhancing trade and investment describing CPEC as a model for prosperity nationally and regionally.

Meanwhile, a Delegation of Royal Dutch Shell led by Chief Executive Officer Ben Van Beurden called on  Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in London and expressed interest in further investment in Pakistan.

CEO of Royal Dutch Shell informed the him about Shell’s interest in the LNG and renewable energy sectors of Pakistan as well as investments in the more traditional fuels marketing landscape.

The PM also attended a reception hosted by British Queen Elizabeth-II for the new heads of the governments from the Commonwealth countries at Buckingham Palace.