PM to leave for Riyadh to attend US-Arab-Islamic Summit today

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – On the invitation of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will leave for Saudi Arabia on a two-day visit to attend the US-Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh on Sunday.

In addition to King Salman and US President Donald JTrump, 55 heads of state and government from the Muslim world have been invited to participate in the summit.

The summit will provide an opportunity for the participating countries to discuss how to overcome the menace of terrorism and extremism across the world. It is expected to delink 'terrorism' from any particular religion, culture, civilization or region.

In his address at the summit, as well as during his interaction with world leaders, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will focus on Islam' message of peace, tolerance and unity. He will highlight the great sacrifices and major successes achieved by Pakistan in defeating the scourge of terrorism and extremism in the region.

The prime minister will also join the world leaders to attend the inauguration ceremony of the World Centre against Extremism, an important counter-radicalization initiative by Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile in response to media reports about the possibility of the Prime Minister's bilateral meetings at the Riyadh US-Arab-Islamic Summit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said that the format and the very full agenda of the half day summit, which is expected to have the participation of more than 35 leaders of the Islamic world as well as Secretary Generals of the OIC, Arab League and GCC, does not permit sideline bilateral meetings.