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Gillani to discuss vital issues with Mohan today
Imtinan Shahid
 SHARM EL SHEIKH/EGYPT: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani arrived in Sharm-Al-Shaikh in Egypt to represent Pakistan at the 15th session of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). According to the programme, Pakistan delegation will participate in this conference from July 15. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarek will welcome Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani at 8am after which the conference will formally commence. The same day Gillani will attend the luncheon hosted by the Egyptian president.
Earlier, Hosni Mubarek, UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon and Cuban President Castro will address the conference.
PM Gillani, Sri Lankan president and the prime minister of Bangladesh will address the evening session of the conference. The ambassadors of Pakistan to Syria and Egypt will host a dinner in the honour of PM Yousaf Raza Gillani.
An important meeting of Gillani is expected with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on July 16 in Room No 2129 of Maritime Gulf Resort. After his meeting with Manmohan Singh, Gillani will meet Afghan president Hamid Karzai and the president of Philippines.
It is learnt that resumption of comprehensive talks between Pakistan and India, regional issues, Kashmir dispute, bilateral trade and joint strategy by the two countries against terrorism are likely to come under discussion at the Gillani-Manmohan Singh meeting.
The same evening Gillani and Karzai will discuss Pak-Afghan relations, efforts of Pakistan in connection with peace in Afghanistan and the coming elections in Afghanistan.
The chart of PM Gillani's engagements
July 15
8am: Hosni Mubarek will receive Gillani
9:30: Photo session of the heads of states
10am: Inaugural speech by Cuban President and address by Hosni Mubarek
1pm: The luncheon hosted by Hosni Mubarek
4:10: Meeting with Sri Lankan President
5:20: Meeting with Nepalese President
6:15pm: Meeting with Bangladeshi Prime Minister
8:30: Luncheon hosted by Pak ambassador
July 16
10:30am: Meeting with Indian PM Manmohan Singh
4pm: Meeting with the President of Philippines
4:30: Meeting with Hamid Karzai
6pm: Meeting with Serbian President
Indo-Pak talks to be put on track
Western states want dialogue to be positive
Imtinan Shahid
 SHARM EL SHEIKH: Prime Minister Gillani and Manmohan Singh meeting to be held today (Thursday) will dispel the impression that some sort of deadlock has arisen in the talks between the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India.
The foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India have held a meeting during the last two days and diplomatic efforts between the two countries are at peak in Sharm el Sheikh, the modern city of Egypt. Moreover, Prime Minister Gillani held a detailed discussion with the members of his delegation in which an agenda has been prepared for his meeting with his Indian counterpart.
Indian prime minister reached Sharm El Sheikh, the modern city which came into being during the occupation of Israel, eight hours after the arrival of PM Gillani. The other countries have expedited their efforts to make the Gillani-Manmohan talks positive.
The newspapers of Egypt have explicitly stated that the prime ministers would agree to continue talks. It shows that the western countries want to make these talks successful with the help of their Muslim allies. They also want that the talks between the two countries that had been suspended after the Mumbai attacks should be resumed in a positive manner.
The leadership of the two countries would be convinced to resume comprehensive talks. The foreign secretaries of the two countries have stated at different functions that they want to resume comprehensive and meaningful talks.
Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, taling to the foreign media, has stated that the Pakistani delegation led by PM Gillani has come with an open mind so that talks could be resumed peace could be maintained in the region for the development of the two countries. No doubt, the two countries have expressed different viewpoints in their statements and but they understand that talks are the only solution. The western friends of the two countries have the same desire.
Gillani-Singh meeting today | End conflict, find peace: PM
Two premiers meet at tea
Our Correspondent
SHARM-El-SHEIKH: Mrime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani will Thursday meet his counterpart Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the summit in an effort to bring talks with India, derailed after the Mumbai terror attacks, back on track. He said that let us end conflict and find peace.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and Crown Prince of Bahrain Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa met here on sidelines of Non-Aligned Movement summit and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
Prime Minister Gillani said Pakistan attaches utmost importance to its relations with the Kingdom of Bahrain and wishes to further strengthen these fraternal ties.
The prime minister said the regular high-level exchanges between the two countries could play a vital role in enhancing bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
He hoped that the inaugural session of bilateral political consultations between Pakistan and Bahrain would be held in near future.
Gilani said the joint ministerial commission was a useful forum for enhancing economic and trade relations between the two countries and hoped that the next session would be held in Islamabad soon.
He said Pakistan offers lucrative incentives to foreign investors in almost all the sectors of economy and invited the Bahraini entrepreneurs to benefit from the investment-friendly environment in Pakistan.
He said the two countries needed to explore new avenues of bilateral collaboration in the defence and security areas, adding that Bahrain could benefit from Pakistan's defence manufacturing and research facilities.
The prime minister said almost 55,000 Pakistani expatriates in Bahrain were making valuable contribution to the economic and social development of Bahrain.
He hoped that Bahrain would give preference to manpower from Pakistan to meet its manpower requirements, especially in the fields of defence, internal security, health, engineering and construction.
The crown prince of Bahrain reciprocated the prime minister's desire for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. He supported joint economic ventures between the two countries for the mutual benefit of their people.
Prime Minister Gilani accepted an invitation to visit Bahrain in the last quarter of this year dates of which would be finalised later.
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani said Pakistan is facing war on two fronts operation against the militants and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) as well as reconstruction of the operation affected area.
"Besides victory in military operation it is essential to win over the hearts and minds of the IDPs," he said.
He added the process of phased return of IDPs to their homes had started. "We appeal to international community particularly developed Muslim countries to extend help to us in rehabilitation of IDPs and reconstruction of the areas affected in the military operation," he urged.
"We are now working to isolate militants from peace-loving people and we have achieved ample success on this count," he remarked.
The crown prince of Bahrain lauded the steps taken by government of Pakistan for rehabilitation of IDPs besides holding out assurance to provide assistance to Pakistan in this respect.
Meanwhile, Gillani and Manmohan held an informal meeting at tea which was also attended by other heads of states.
Pakistan, India moving in right direction | Break in talks to help terrorists: PM
SHARM EL SHEIKH: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani has said that efforts and role of Pakistan in war against terrorism is unforgettable and exemplary. "We are committed against terrorism," he said on Tuesday.
Talking to media upon his arrival here in Egypt, Prime Minister Gillani said that he was going to hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines at Sharm el Sheikh with an open mind as he believes any pause in dialogue would benefit the terrorists.
Talking to journalists in Islamabad before the start of the visit, he said that both the countries were moving in the right direction but because of the Mumbai incident there has been a pause in the composite dialogue. "If talks were on pause that will benefit only terrorists," he said, adding more interaction between the two countries would prove beneficial.
"I will be meeting Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh than we will take a decision what are the issues to be discussed," he said. Gillani said it was an extremely important visit where he would meet world leaders as Pakistan believes in cordial relations with all countries particularly its neighbours.
It will be the second meeting of Prime Minister Gillani with his Indian counterpart. Earlier, the two leaders met on sidelines of the SAARC summit in Sri Lankan capital Colombo. Earlier, Prime Minister Gillani arrived here in this Egyptian Red Sea resort to represent Pakistan at the 15th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), focusing on global financial crisis and international peace.
Prime Minister Gillani along with his delegation was received at the Sharm el Sheikh International Airport by Pakistan's Ambassador in Cairo Seema Naqvi, Egyptian Ambassador in Islamabad Magdy Mahmood Helmy Amer and senior officials.
Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, Education Minister Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, Science and Technology Minister Azam Swati, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, and several parliamentarians are also part of the high-level delegation.
First Lady Begum Fauzia Gillani, who accompanied Prime Minister Gillani, will represent Pakistan at the two-day First Ladies Summit on women in crisis management, perspectives and challenges - best practices and lessons learned from today (Wednesday).
Besides addressing at the NAM platform, Prime Minister Gillani will hold an important meeting with his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh on Thursday (July 16) in a bid to restart the stalled peace process. During his four-day visit, he is expected to hold meetings with leaders of Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Serbia and Philippines.
The prime minister will also address heads of the state and the government at the NAM platform to find solutions appropriate for confronting international challenges and also availing the opportunity to effectively participate in dispute settlement for maintaining world peace. Pakistan joined the NAM in 1977 and is among the bloc of 118 member states, 16 observer countries and nine observer organizations.
The Non-Aligned Movement is an international organization of states considering themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. The purpose of the organization is to ensure national independence, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries in their struggle against imperialism, colonialism, racism, and all forms of foreign aggression or hegemony.
The NAM bloc represents nearly two-thirds of the UN members and comprise 55 percent of the world population, particularly considered to be developing or part of the third world.
Another report adds: Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani discussed current situation of the military operation against terrorists and repatriation process of dislocated persons of the Malakand division with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani in a meeting on Tuesday.
Before his departure to Egypt, General Kayani give a comprehensive briefing to Prime Minister Gillani about the war games in the region and results and success gain by the Pakistan Army in the operation Rah-e-Rast, according to sources.
The sources said that the prime minister showed his satisfaction on steps taken by the provincial government, the army and the Special Support Group regarding safe and sound return of the internally displaced persons to Malakand and hoped that the process would be completed soon.
PM assures MQM of not removing Ebad: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani on Tuesday assured the Mutahidda Qaumi Movement of not removing longest-serving Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad.
Before leaving for Sharm el Sheikh, Prime Minister Gillani met Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri. Earlier, a media report reported that the federal government has decided to appoint Dr Asim Hussain, an adviser on petroleum, as the Sindh governor in place of Dr Ebad.
During he meeting, host of issues came under discussion with special focus on reservations regarding removing Dr Ebad, who was appointed as the governor after October 2002 general elections under a power-sharing formula between the Pakistan Muslim League and the MQM.
Prime Minister Gillani assured Minister Ghauri that the government would take all the coalition partners on board in all decisions. When contacted, the minister confirmed that Prime Minister Gillani assured him of not removing Governor Dr Ebad.
Gillani, Singh agree to resume talks | Deadlock ends
PM gives proof of Indian hand in Balochistan
Special Correspondent
 SHARM-EL-SHEIKH: A crucial meeting between leaders of Pakistan and India ended here Thursday on a positive note, with both sides agreeing that dialogue was the only way forward.
Talking to reporters after the meeting that lasted around three hours; including delegation level and exclusive one-on-one talks, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani said Pakistan had raised the issue of threats in Balochistan and other areas, however added that both had recognized that "dialogue is the only way forward," and agreed that the foreign secretaries should meet as often as necessary and report to the two foreign ministers who will be meeting on the sidelines of the forthcoming UN General Assembly. He underlined that the composite dialogue should not be bracketed with incidents of terrorism.
A joint statement issued at the end termed the meeting "cordial and constructive".
The two leaders considered entire gamut of relations and agreed that terrorism was the main threat to both countries. "The leaders affirmed their resolve to fight terrorism and to cooperate with each other to this end."
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reiterated the need to bring the perpetrators of Mumbai attack to justice. PM Gillani assured that Pakistan would do everything in its power in this regard. He said Pakistan had provided an updated status dossier on the investigation of the Mumbai attacks and had sought additional information and evidence in this regard. The Indian PM said the dossier was being reviewed.
"Both the leaders agreed that the two countries will share real time, credible and actionable information on any future terrorist threats," the statement said.
The PM mentioned that Pakistan had some information on threats in Balochistan and other areas. He said action on terrorism should not be linked to the composite dialogue process and these should not be bracketed to terrorism. The Indian PM said India was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan including all outstanding issues.
The two premiers held the delegation level talk followed by an exclusive one-on-one meeting here at the Red Sea resort, where more than 50 heads of state from the developing world were gathered for the two-day summit.
The talks on the sidelines of the 15th NAM summit are being held in a bid to resume the stalled peace process, meant to resolve their long-standing disputes.
The Indian PM received PM Gillani when he arrived at the venue. The two leaders warmly shook hands and had a photo-op before starting the talks at Maritim Jolie Ville Resort amidst hopes that the peace process might be reinvigorated to bring stability to the region.
The two leaders were supported by delegations including Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Education Minister Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani and Minister for Science and Technology Azam Khan Swati, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, PML-N MNA Anusha Rehman and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir.
The Indian delegation included Foreign Minister SM Krishna, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon, National Security Adviser MK Narayanan and Special Secretary Vivek Katju.
The 25-minutes long delegation level talks were followed by around 90-minutes one-on-one parleys.
The joint statement said; "Both leaders agreed that the real challenge was development and the elimination of poverty. Both leaders resolved to eliminate those factors which prevented the two countries from realizing their full potential." Pakistan and India agreed to work to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence and reaffirmed their intention to promote regional cooperation.
The two leaders last met in August 2008 on the sidelines of 15th SAARC summit in Colombo and agreed to resolve all outstanding issues and promoting the confidence building measures.
The two countries have so far held four rounds of the Composite Dialogue beginning in early 2004 and have seen its share of ups and downs.
The fifth round stalled only after a few meetings following the terrorist attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul in July and the Mumbai attacks in November 2008.
The two sides managed to break the ice after a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on June 17 as they met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Yekaterinburg in Russia.
Indian media shocked
Pakistan scores diplomatic success
Imtinan Shahid
SHARM-EL-SHEIKH: Indian journalists, accompanying the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, were surprised at the joint statement issued here at the conclusion of meeting between the two premiers.
Most of them flayed their government for showing weakness in its stance.
Before the parleys, the Indian PM and media were talking in support of their government and they seemed to be saying that India had separated Pakistan in the past and defeated in diplomatic war. But when the meeting ended and the joint statement was issued, the Indian journalists present there expressed their sheer rage and disappointment. The press secretary of the Indian PM, on seeing such a response, arranged another briefing of PM Singh, in which the latter briefed the Indian journalists accompanying him about the development regarding the joint statement and his meeting with PM Gillani.
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in the joint statement issued here on Thursday at the conclusion of the meeting between the two prime ministers at Sharm-el-Sheikh on sidelines of 15th NAM summit, promised to bring the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice.
The second important development was that of recognizing that dialogue was the only way forward and the foreign secretaries of both the countries should meet as often as necessary and report to the two foreign ministers who would be meeting on the sidelines of the forthcoming UN General Assembly.
Another important development was that PM Gillani took up the issue that Pakistan had some information on threats in Balochistan and other areas and that the external element in Balochistan unrest would be stopped. This is Pakistan's remarkable victory.
Prime Minister Singh reiterated India's interest in a stable, democratic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, adding that India want to have such government in Pakistan which might deliver according to the wishes of the people. Though there is a mention of talking on issues including Kashmir, Balochistan and terrorism in the Composite Dialogue Process, yet no timeframe has been given as to when the two premiers would meet again.
Another significant thing that was noted in the parleys was that there was no noteworthy mention of Kashmir in the one-on-one meeting between the two. However, Pakistan forwarded its reservations and regarding Indian involvement in Balochistan. At which the two leaders decided that it would be addressed in the Composite Dialogue Process.
Indian behaviour seemed to be stricter during the dialogue and it seemed that India was attaching the dialogue process with terrorism.
But two points in the joint statement which prominently speak volume of Pakistan's diplomatic success. The first is that of bringing India to the negotiation table, and the other is conveying its concerns regarding Balochistan issue.
It has been observed that Pakistan for the first time has made India agree that dialogue may not be made conditional with terrorism as this menace is equally extended in the whole world and the terrorists do not have any identity. The other success is that of the meeting between the foreign secretaries and the foreign ministers of the two countries in the near future.
Such a development could only be expected after melting the ice.
PMs spend 2,500 EP on meal
Special Correspondent
SHARM-EL-SHEIKH: PM Gillani and PM Singh took their meal worth 2,500 Egyptian Pounds in a hotel where they met.
My magic remains with masses: When a senior journalist asked PM Gillani as to which magic he had used that first he became the PM and now India had agreed to restart dialogue, he said that his magic remained in the masses' cooperation.
Pak media protest strict checking
Special Correspondent
SHARM-EL-SHEIKH: Pakistani journalists protested over India's strict security checking when Indian Prime Minister Singh invited PM Gillani to his room for the talks. Singh invited PM Gillani to his room for the talks on the sideline of the NAM summit. The Indian officials’ strick security vexed Pakistani journalists when they were going for coverage of the meeting.
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