Decision for PM's Malaysia visit to be taken in accordance with national interest: Awan
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Premier's aide Firdous Ashiq Awan on Monday said that the decision of whether the prime minister will visit Malaysia for the Kuala Lumpur Summit or not will be taken "in accordance with national interest".
The prime minister, who is currently in Bahrain and will later visit Geneva, will return to the country on Wednesday and will then decide if he should visit Malaysia, she told reporters.
The development comes a day after the premier's return from Saudi Arabia, where he had gone on a one-day visit on Saturday to assuage the reservations of the kingdom about Pakistan’s participation in the Kuala Lumpur Summit, among other issues, sources had told Dawn earlier.
Prime Minister Imran had earlier confirmed his participation in the Kuala Lumpur summit, which will be held in Malaysia from December 19-21. The summit is a brainchild of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The plan for the summit was finalised during a trilateral meeting involving Turkey, Pakistan and Malaysia in September in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.
The summit is also being attended by leaders of Turkey, Qatar and Iran in addition to hosts Malaysia. Around 450 leaders, scholars, clerics, and thinkers from 52 countries are expected to attend the event.
KL Summit is being seen as an attempt to create a new bloc in the Muslim world that could become an alternative to the dysfunctional Organisation of Islamic Cooperation led by the Saudis. This development has upset the Saudis, who are taking it as a challenge to their dominance in the politics of the Muslim world.
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Comments (53) Closed
Dec 16, 2019 05:02pm
Looks like U turn coming up.
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Dec 16, 2019 05:05pm
I think I can guess what that means.
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Dec 16, 2019 05:21pm
Where oil money comes from will decide the visit. So no Malaysia trip to be seen
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Dec 16, 2019 05:27pm
And their premier just gifted his own country's manufactured car to our worthy prime minister besides promise to set up a manufacturing plant of the same in Pakistan.
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Dec 16, 2019 05:47pm
@Amir, so what if Saudi's have petroleum oil,... Malaysians have Palm Oil.
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Dec 16, 2019 05:52pm
I think Pakistan must attend the KL summit
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Dec 16, 2019 05:54pm
Khan sb must attend.
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Dec 16, 2019 06:23pm
Mr. PM realizing the real worth!
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Dec 16, 2019 06:30pm
Pakistan invented the U-turn signal.
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Dec 16, 2019 06:41pm
@Just Saying, sadly when an economy is left in such disarray by previous administrations you have to manage by being dynamic.
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Dec 16, 2019 06:55pm
He should go or Pakistan will suffer. SA is Friend’s with India and investing 100 billion$s. They are not our friends
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Dec 16, 2019 07:16pm
He must attend The summit...
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Dec 16, 2019 07:57pm
It was easy to blame previous governments in foreign relationships.
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Dec 16, 2019 08:35pm
@Luckystar, actually, he should go because it is the right thing to do.
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Dec 16, 2019 08:42pm
Return at least those loans which PTI has taken and attend the KL, as simple as any thing
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Dec 16, 2019 08:46pm
Go to Malaysia and invite Saudi Arabia.
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Dec 16, 2019 09:07pm
I think Petrol Money is much important than the PALM OIL MONEY.
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Dec 16, 2019 09:24pm
@Ghayur Baig, what about mediation between Iran and Saudis that imran tried
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Dec 16, 2019 09:38pm
Every country acts in line with its national interests.
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Dec 16, 2019 09:45pm
If MBS can visit India , why can't he visit Malaysia ? Why can't he for a short while put aside his differences with Iran.
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Dec 16, 2019 09:47pm
When it comes to national interest, anything is possible.
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Dec 16, 2019 10:05pm
Bold decision taken earlier to participate in summit should be adhered without taking pressure from any country.
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Dec 16, 2019 10:18pm
The only permanent thing in foreign affairs is national interest.
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Dec 16, 2019 10:53pm
Another sand castle.
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Dec 16, 2019 11:05pm
PMIK attendance at KL summit is a must. Don't let them down.
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Dec 16, 2019 11:06pm
Our IK will not attend.
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Dec 16, 2019 11:14pm
Since Saudia has been reassured of Pakistan's friendship, PM Imran Khan should keep Pakistan's "long-term" national interest in mind and attend the summit in KL, Malaysia!
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Dec 16, 2019 11:18pm
But it was already confirmed earlier that Imran will attend. Saudi decided otherwise?
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Dec 16, 2019 11:42pm
Don’t take a U turn IK. We your supporters will be greatly disappointed.
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Dec 16, 2019 11:54pm
So much for Kashmir policy. If I remember it correctly it was Malaysia and Turkey who openly supported us against India. These Saudis didn’t give a damn about Kashmir.
IK’s another ugly uturn.
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Dec 17, 2019 12:02am
Imran Khan, do not cancel Malaysia visit
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Dec 17, 2019 12:17am
sure PTI will take a U-Turn on Malasia visit of PM. They cannot go agaisnt the wish of SA
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Dec 17, 2019 12:18am
The boss has spoken, time for change of plans.
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Dec 17, 2019 12:47am
IK must attend this meeting.
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Dec 17, 2019 12:53am
Show the world that you have some princples. Attend the summit despite the fact it may not acheive much.
It is the princple that counts.
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Dec 17, 2019 01:29am
Now IK decesion will clarify if he is a real statesman or something else.
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Dec 17, 2019 01:31am
I hate to think that pakistan is bowing to pressure from Saudis.
Who thinks we are sovereign.
What a shame. Saudis are not our friends. They did not support us in Kashmir.
They support the oppressor India.
That would be a blunder of a decision if pakistan bows to unacceotable Saudi demands.
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Dec 17, 2019 01:33am
That would be a disgrace if he decides not to attend.he wouldn’t only let himself down but also the whole nation in the eyes of a young Mahathir, who the IK always admires.
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Dec 17, 2019 02:52am
If the PM misses the Malaysian Meeting, it will be serious political set back for the country.
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Dec 17, 2019 03:42am
Whats the fuss. PMIK will attend. Pakistan’s importance , it is wanted everywhere.
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Dec 17, 2019 04:38am
Not attending the Malaysian gathering will be one of the biggest failures of Imran's leadership. Pakistan's long term interests will be served if it realign itself with countries like Malaysia and Turkey and refocus on real and sustainable economic prosperity.
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Dec 17, 2019 04:51am
@Luckystar, You are heading for divorce too early.
Trade and international relations are not personal; relations but long term two-way trade!
Try being less sensitive internationally.
Otherwise you will find it hard to work with any country---b/c all countries have warts!
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Dec 17, 2019 04:53am
@Amer Mahdi: Why?
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Dec 17, 2019 04:55am
Hang in there Imran! You are going to Malaysia! That is in Pakistan's best interest!
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Dec 17, 2019 04:58am
Unfortunately Imran Khan is turning out to be a weak leader to the great disappoinment of many of his initial supporters. He should learn from great leaders like Dr. Mahatir and stand up for what is right.
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Dec 17, 2019 05:06am
PM Imran Khan should participate KL Summit.
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Dec 17, 2019 05:50am
Financial blackmail by Saudis
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Dec 17, 2019 07:00am
Though I am not from Pakistan but as an experienced International relations work horse I have clearly understood that The Saudis and The UAE’s are not in favour of the Malaysia conference. It’s up to the present govt. to decide but to me this move is will not favour Pakistan’s national interest.
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Dec 17, 2019 07:06am
Pakistan should visit Malaysia. Did KSA stop visiting India
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Dec 17, 2019 07:24am
Please refrain Awan on commenting on this sensitive issue. Certain facts need not be discussed in public.
She just opens her mouth and says whatever comes out of it, even if it is green and smelly.
She needs to keep certain protocols.
There is no need to discuss certain issues till they have transpired and managed.
Please manage her role, if she cannot manage it herself. Else every person has a personal closet that if once opened piles out all kinds of various garments.
Let's just wear the garments we look good in.
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Dec 17, 2019 07:43am
The PM IK has proven his primary duty is to keep Pakistan, standing tall,the interest of Pakistan is number one priority ! If previous civil dictators , pmln nawaz,had followed this type of motivation Pakistan right now would have been in a better place!
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Dec 17, 2019 08:12pm
Hugely disappointing.
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Dec 17, 2019 10:19pm
Nation is waiting to know what is National Interest???
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