ISLAMABAD, Sept 22: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will pay a three-day official visit to South Korea from Sept 28 and from there proceed to Malaysia for the inaugural meeting of the World Islamic Economic Forum on Oct 1. Announcing this, a Foreign Office spokesman said in South Korea, the prime minister will hold meetings with President Roh Moo-hyun and Prime Minister Lee Hae-Chan.

“The focus of these meetings will be on expanding relations in political, economic, trade, investment, cultural and other fields and reviewing regional and global developments,” he added.

The prime minister will also meet the leading South Korean businessmen, representatives of print and electronic media and members of the Pakistani community.

He will reach the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on Sept 30 to attend the inaugural meeting of the World Islamic Economic Forum, being hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Ahmad Badawi.

Mr Aziz has been invited to deliver the opening keynote address. The prime minister will have a meeting with his Malaysian counterpart and they will exchange views on matters of mutual interest.

With Malaysia set for the next chairmanship of Asean in November, a key talking point would be Pakistan’s request for full dialogue partnership status with the regional grouping, a senior official told this correspondent.

The two leaders will jointly inaugurate Expo Pakistan.

In Kuala Lumpur, Mr Aziz will also speak at the International Islamic University and interact with the Pakistani community and the media. He will return on October 3.—Q.A.