UNGA president-elect postpones Pakistan visit, cites flight issue

ISLAMABAD: The incoming president of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Volkan Bozkir has postponed his visit to Pakistan due to some technical flight problems.

In a Twitter post, Turkish diplomat Volkan Bozkir said, “We had to postpone my visit to Pakistan, originally scheduled for 26-27 July, upon invitation by Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, due to some technical flight problem.”

1) We had to postpone my visit to Pakistan, originally scheduled for 26-27 July, upon invitation by HE Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan @SMQureshiPTI , due to some technical flight problems. 🇺🇳🇹🇷🇵🇰

— Volkan BOZKIR (@volkan_bozkir) July 26, 2020

In another tweet, the incoming president of UNGA said, “I am hoping to visit Pakistan in the near future and looking forward to a fruitful exchange with the Pakistani authorities, regarding the issues and priorities on the United Nations 75th General Assembly agenda.”

2) I am hoping to visit Pakistan in the near future and looking forward to a fruitful exchange with the Pakistani authorities, regarding the issues & priorities on the United Nations 75th General Assembly agenda. 🇺🇳🇹🇷🇵🇰

— Volkan BOZKIR (@volkan_bozkir) July 26, 2020

Last month, Turkish diplomat Volkan Bozkir was elected president of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly and was scheduled to arrive in Islamabad today (Sunday).

In response, Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi said, “I look forward to welcoming you to Pakistan soon for a constructive and fruitful visit.”

I look forward to welcoming you to Pakistan soon for a constructive and fruitful visit. https://t.co/AGB0uod7vr

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) July 26, 2020

Earlier, FM Qureshi had hoped he would discuss a range of issues with Bozkir, including Kashmir. He said that he would present to Bozkir Pakistan’s position on occupied Kashmir.

He further said that India’s ties in the region were deteriorating due to its Hindutva ideology. “Even Iran has dropped India from Chabahar project,” Qureshi added.