United Nations: While President Barack Obama has been constantly mentioning Pakistan and its struggle against terrorism and asking the world leaders to understand the need of helping Islamabad to bail itself out from the current crises, President Asif Ali Zardari, it seems, is least interested in Obama’s talks.
According to reports, Zardari has skipped or rather ignored Obama’s address to international leaders, who have gathered in New York for the 64th United Nations General Assembly, at least on three different occasions.
Despite being present in New York, Zardari chose to remain absent during Obama’s speeches.
While leaders from across the globe including US Secretary of States Hillary Clinton and former Vice-President Al-Gore attended the conference on climate change at the UN on September 22, Zardari chose to visit the Presbyterian Hospital in New York for his medical check-up.
The same afternoon, President Zardari attended the fifth annual conference of Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in a nearby hotel, but left before Obama’s arrival, The News reports.
On September 23, when about 75 heads of state/government, hundreds of ministers, diplomats and officials gathered in the UN for President Obama’s address, Zardari was no where to be found.
When enquired about Zardari’s absence, Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the President had his own engagements.
“Attending the UNGA on the day of US president’s speech was not mandatory for President Zardari. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was there to lead Pakistani delegation at the UNGA,” Babar said.
ANI
