27 February 2004	Friday	06 Muharram 1425

ISLAMABAD, Feb 26: The Council of Arab ambassadors to Pakistan in their meeting on Thursday appreciated the recent efforts by the governemt to eradicate extremism, terrorism and sectarianism.

The meeting was presided over by Palestinian ambassador and dean of the Arab and Diplomatic Corps Ahmed El-Salman. The guest of honour at this meeting was Chairman National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) Daniyal Aziz.

During the meeting, the Arab envoys reviewed the positive developments in Pakistan-Arab relations in the light of international developments and the recently concluded visit of Palestinian foreign minister Farouq Kaddoumi to Islamabad.

They expressed their satisfaction over the renewed assurances by the Pakistani leadership of providing political, diplomatic and material assistance to the Palestinian people in their struggle against military occupation and injustice.

They also saluted the principled position adopted by Pakistan at the hearings of the International Court of Justice regarding the illegality of the wall of separation being constructed by Israeli occupiers in breach of all international norms.

The Arab envoys were satisfied on the success of the recently-concluded round of Pakistan-India talks held in Islamabad and hoped that the two sides would seize this historic opportunity to reach a final negotiated settlement of all outstanding issues, including Kashmir.

Daniyal Aziz outlined the role of the bureau in devising strategies and formulating policy options for better governance at the federal, provincial and local levels through restructuring of state institutions.