04 February 2005	Friday	24 Zilhaj 1425

ISLAMABAD, Feb 3: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday telephoned King of Nepal Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in an apparent expression of solidarity , a day after India pulled out of the 13th Saarc summit on the pretext of political situation in the neighbourhood and security concerns.

Mr Aziz conveyed to King Gyanendra that recent developments in Nepal were its internal matter. A foreign ministry statement issued on Thursday quoted the prime minister as telling the Nepalese king that "Pakistan strictly adheres to the principles of non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.

Pakistan has consistently upheld these principles. "The prime minister also assured King Gyanendra of Pakistan's support for the unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the kingdom of Nepal."

Premier Aziz, the current chairman of the Saarc, discussed with the Nepalese king the holding of the 13th Saarc summit. Apart from Saarc-related matters, Pakistan-Nepal relations also figured in their conversation with both leaders expressing satisfaction on the continuing progress in bilateral ties.

"King Gyanendra shared the prime minister's disappointment over the postponement of the Saarc summit and expressed full confidence in Pakistan to set up new dates for the summit," the statement said.

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