ISLAMABAD, Nov 23: Pakistan will highlight the difficulties it faces after last month’s massive earthquake when it attends the Commonwealth summit in Malta this weekend after an absence of six years. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will lead the delegation to the Nov 25-27 gathering.

“We will highlight the post-quake situation but it will not be for seeking funds,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will participate in the opening ceremony which will be attended by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in her capacity as head of the Commonwealth.

The summit will discuss key issues such as governance and capacity building, combating terrorism and promoting tolerance, trade, poverty eradiation and digital divide.

The prime minister will also attend the lunch to be hosted by Her Majesty The Queen for select heads of government of Commonwealth.

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri led Pakistan’s delegation at the Commonwealth foreign ministers’ meeting.

Mr Kasuri separately met Foreign Minister of Malta Michael Fernando and held in-depth discussion on issues of mutual interest. The Maltese foreign minister accepted his invitation to visit Pakistan.—Agencies