Pakistan to skip democracy summit in Washington

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan decided on Tuesday to skip the second ‘Summit for Democracy’ being hosted by United States President Joe Biden this week.

Pakistan had been invited to the three-day summit initiated by President Biden in 2021 as well but did not attend.

Just hours before the democracy summit was to kick off, the Foreign Office issued a statement citing reasons for not attending the summit.

“Pakistan remained committed to further solidifying its relationship with the United States for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.”

“The Summit process is now at an advanced stage and therefore, Pakistan would engage bilaterally with the United States and co-hosts of the Summit to promote and strengthen democratic principles and values and work towards advancing human rights and the fight against corruption,” FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra said.

She said: “We are thankful to the United States and the co-host countries for inviting Pakistan to attend the Second Summit for Democracy being held on 29-30 March 2023.”

“As a vibrant democracy, the people of Pakistan are deeply committed to democratic values, and generations of Pakistanis time after time have upheld their faith in democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms,” she noted.

“We value our friendship with the United States. Under this Biden Administration, this relationship has widened and expanded substantially,” said FO spokesperson.