Prime Minister Gilani to represent Pakistan at SAARC summit

Islamabad, Jul 28 (UNI) Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will lead Pakistan's delegation at the SAARC summit being held in Colombo on August 2-3.

''The forthcoming SAARC summit in Colombo is expected to sign the Charter of SAARC Development Fund, agreement on the establishment of SAARC regional Standards Organisation, SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and the Protocol on the Accession of Afghanistan to SAFTA,'' foreign office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq told a press briefing here today.

The summit will decide on the request of Australia and Myanmar for grant of observer status with the Association. China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Mauritius, US and EU have already been granted observer status last year.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will attend the 30th session of SAARC Council of Ministers being held on Thursday.

The spokesman confirmed that Foreign Minister Qureshi will have a meeting with his Indian counterpart on the sidelines of the summit.

About possibility of Prime Minister's meeting with his Indian counterpart, he said other meetings have not been confirmed as yet.

UNI XC RJ UCS1648