President of the UN General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday. The Prime Minister commended the President for her leadership and efforts aimed at empowering the disadvantaged and marginalized people, noting that these priorities were in tune with the governments' people-centric agenda. He also briefed the President on government's plans for creation of jobs for young Pakistanis, launching of a massive poverty alleviation programme, five million housing units and billion tree tsunami, says a press release issued here.

The Prime Minister drew the attention of the President to the massive human rights violations in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir that have been documented in the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report of June 2018. He called early establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate these abuses, as recommended by the UN.

Referring to blasphemous caricatures, the Prime Minister conveyed the deep anguish of the people of Pakistan on such attempts to hurt the feelings of billions of Muslims. The Prime Minister urged the President to play her role in dissuading elements that carried out such hurtful acts. The importance of building harmony and inter-religious understanding and dialogue was also underlined.

The General Assembly President expressed deep appreciation to the Prime Minister for pursuing an agenda that is anchored in the welfare of people. She also lauded Pakistan's efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and its exemplary hospitality of millions of Afghan refugees.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019