ANKARA: The CENTO Ministerial Council which concluded its session here today [May 23], has welcomed efforts made by Pakistan for normalising relations in the Sub-continent. A conference communique said the conference reviewed the progress of the process of normalisation in South Asia and hoped that efforts will continue for normalising Indo-Pakistan relations. The communique declared CENTO’s determination to combat every outside threat against alliance territory. The document said member States pledged to continue their efforts towards peace and stability thereby contributing to the maintenance of world peace.

[Meanwhile as reported by news agencies from Islamabad,] Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs Aziz Ahmed had separate meetings in Ankara yesterday [May 22] with US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Rt. Hon. Roy Hattersley. The meetings took place soon after the opening session of the CENTO Ministerial Council meeting. … …Earlier, before the commencement of CENTO meeting, the Pakistan delegation leader visited the Mazar of Kemal Ataturk and offered Fateha.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2025