ISLAMABAD, June 22: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday discussed various issues, including the political situation in the country and the Pakistan-India relations.

They reviewed geopolitical environment in the region with particular reference to Afghanistan and Pakistan-India relations.

The two leaders discussed the visit by leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference to Azad Kashmir and Pakistan and expressed satisfaction over its outcome.

They also exchanged views on the law and order situation and budgetary measures for the financial year 2005-06.

Both were of the view that President Musharraf’s visit to Australia and New Zealand would serve to enhance economic cooperation with these countries and Pakistan would benefit from these countries’ expertise in the fields of education, agriculture, dairy and livestock and mining.

Reviewing the economic situation, the president expressed appreciation over the privatization of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company that would fetch $2.6 billion.

“Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have historic and close ties and investment by Etisalat would further enhance cordial relations between the two countries,” President Musharraf was quoted as saying at the meeting about the purchase of the PTCL by the UAE’s firm Etisalat.

The president and the prime minister expressed satisfaction over the fact that the foreign direct investment in the country had crossed the $1 billion mark during the past eleven months and that the benefits of economic progress and stability were being transferred to people.