ISLAMABAD, June 14: Abdul Sattar, the outgoing Minister for Foreign Affairs on Friday paid a farewell call on President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Sattar had requested to be relieved of his ministerial responsibilities citing health and personal reasons.

The president paid rich tributes to the contribution made by him in his capacity as foreign minister for forcefully highlighting Pakistan’s foreign policy during a crucial phase of the country’s history.

President Musharraf expressed the hope that Mr Sattar would continue to impart his counsel and wisdom to the foreign office to enable the country to benefit from his vast experience spanning many decades in the field of diplomacy and foreign relations.

He wished the outgoing minister good health and every success in his future endeavours.

Sattar thanked the president for the trust and confidence reposed in him.

“It has been an honour to serve Pakistan as a member of your Cabinet during a period distinguished by extraordinary leaps towards reforms and rectifications,” he said in a letter addressed to the president.

In the letter, Sattar requested that he be relieved of the office of the Foreign Minister, on health grounds.

“In international relations, too, Pakistan has achieved major breakthroughs and entered the global mainstream and enjoys goodwill and support of influential countries for peace and progress,” he said.—APP