ISLAMABAD, 24 November 2005 — Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will leave for Malta today to represent Pakistan at the Commonwealth summit beginning tomorrow. Pakistan is attending the Commonwealth summit after six years.
Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told a news briefing Prime Minister Aziz will be leading Pakistan’s delegation.
Pakistan will highlight the difficulties it faces after last month’s earthquake at the summit.
But Islamabad will not be asking for more money, officials said. “We will highlight the post-quake situation but it will not be for seeking funds,” Tasnim said.
International donors pledged more than $5.8 billion at a conference in Islamabad on Saturday to help relief and reconstruction efforts after the Oct. 8 disaster.
Pakistan’s efforts to recover from the earthquake will likely overshadow any controversy lingering on from its enforced absence from the Commonwealth, the association of former British colonial nations.
It was readmitted in May 2004 despite protests by the country’s opposition parties and rights groups against President Musharraf’s decision to retain his position as head of the powerful army.
“These summits provide a unique forum for consultation at the highest level of government,” a Foreign Ministry statement said. “The conference will provide an opportunity for leaders and ministers to discuss various issues including peace and development, promoting harmony among peoples of different faiths and cultures, world security, international trade and special attention to Africa.”
Money Laundering Case
Against Benazir
The government has nominated Hasan Wasim Afzal, deputy chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), to represent Pakistan at the Swiss court dealing with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in a $8 million money laundering case.
The Swiss court has granted permission to Benazir to provide list of witnesses.
PPP sources told Arab News yesterday that PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto would ask the court to summon at least 12 witnesses including Saifur Rehman, former head of the National Accountability Bureau, and incumbent Punjab Governor Lt. Gen. Khalid Maqbool. Benazir will appear before the Swiss court today.
