PM to attend world govt summit next month in UAE

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) early next month and it would be his first foreign trip of the current year.

Sources told The News here Friday that the prime minister would be the guest of honour in the World Government Summit to be hosted by the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Pakistan has formally accepted the invitation extended by the UAE government regarding the summit.

Several world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attended the same conference last year. He is likely to attend it this year as well but no confirmation has been given by New Delhi on this count.

Diplomatic observers are of the view that due to the prevailing tension between Pakistan and India, a chance meeting between Shehbaz and Modi is not likely. However, Shehbaz will have sideline meetings with some world leaders attending the summit, including UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE.

The summit has been slated for February 11 and it would continue for three days. According to diplomatic sources, the next month summit is being convened under the theme ‘Shaping Future Governments.’

The event would bring together governments, international organisations, thought leaders and private sector leaders from around the globe to foster international cooperation and identify innovative solutions for future challenges, ultimately inspiring and empowering the next generation of governments.

The sources indicated that Shehbaz would be among the key-note speakers of the summit. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar would also address an event. The sources said that federal ministers, dealing with the economic portfolios, would accompany him in the sojourn.