ISLAMABAD: Pakistan decided to skip second ‘Summit for Democracy’ being hosted by United States President Joe Biden this week. Pakistan had been invited to three-day summit initiated by President Biden in 2021 as well but did not attend. Just hours before democracy summit was to kick off, Foreign Office issued statement citing reasons for not attending summit.

“Pakistan remained committed to further solidifying its relationship with United States for peace, stability and prosperity in region.”

“Summit process is now at an advanced stage and therefore, Pakistan would engage bilaterally with United States and co-hosts of Summit to promote and strengthen democratic principles and values and work towards advancing human rights and fight against corruption,” FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra said. She said: “We are thankful to United States and co-host countries for inviting Pakistan to attend second Summit for Democracy being held on March 29-30, 2023.”

“As vibrant democracy, people of Pakistan are deeply committed to democratic values and generations of Pakistanis time after time have upheld their faith in democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms,” she noted. “We value our friendship with United States. Under this Biden Administration, this relationship has widened and expanded substantially,” said FO spokesperson.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 29 2023

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