Pakistan's premier not to join Kuala Lumpur Summit

By Islamuddin Sajid

ANKARA (AA) - As Malaysia's capital is all set to host leaders from Muslim world, Pakistan’s prime minister will skip the Kuala Lumpur Summit, the host country announced on Tuesday.

Malaysian Prime Ministry said Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad received Monday a call from his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan who expressed his regret for not being able to attend the Kuala Lumpur Summit.

"Dr Mahathir appreciates Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call to inform of his inability to attend the summit where the Pakistani leader was expected to speak and share his thoughts on the state of affairs of the Islamic world," read the statement issued by the office of prime minister.

It also explained that Mahathir would like to correct some misinformation on a Pakistani local daily, Pakistan Today, which cited Malaysian PM as saying that the Kuala Lumpur Summit was intended to be a platform to replace the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

"For this summit only a few national leaders are asked to participate but Malaysia wishes to reiterate that all 56 countries of the Islamic world were invited and all 56 are represented at various levels," the statement added.

The summit set for Dec. 18-21 will discuss various issues from independence to development, administration, identity and culture, justice and freedom.

Representatives of Qatar, Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia are expected to be present at the event.