Pak for consensus on UN reforms

The already existing inequities in the UNSC should not be reinforced by expanding centres of privilege in the permanent category, Musharraf told Alatas who called on him Tuesday night.

Briefing Alatas, who is also advisor to the President of Indonesia, about Pakistan’s position on UN reforms, Musharraf said Islamabad appreciated the efforts of Annan and supports in principle the reforms process to enable the world body respond effectively to new challenges.

But, he said, Pakistan was opposed to the expansion in the permanent membership of the Security Council.

As G-4 countries comprising India, Germany, Japan and Brazil, made strong push for expansion of the UNSC’s permanent member seats with veto powers, the ‘Coffee Club’ led by Pakistan and Italy opposed the expansion of the permanent members.

Pakistan has also dispatched a journalist Nasim Zehra to various Latin American countries to lobby against the expansion of the permanent members. Zehra set out on the mission from Washington, media reports here said.

Musharraf, during his meeting with Alatas, said UN reforms should focus on socio-economic development, achievement of the millennium development goals and resources for development.

In the context of various concerns of developing countries, he said the international community should facilitate the return of ‘‘illicitly acquired assets’’ and ‘‘proceeds of corruption’’ to the affected countries. —PTI

‘Peace talks, trade can be simultaneous’

ISLAMABAD: Signalling Pakistan’s willingness to open up trade with India, President Pervez Musharraf said the two countries could ‘‘simultaneously’’ improve economic ties while moving forward on the political front to resolve bilateral issues. ‘‘We have to move forward on the political front effectively for dispute resolution and also simultaneously look for developing trade and economic ties to the benefit of both countries,’’ he told a delegation of FICCI led by president Onkar S Kanwar. With ‘‘political will and sincerity’’ the two countries can overcome political issues and improve relations rapidly, he said. —PTI