Pak seeks Austria, Turkey support for NSG membership

Pakistan today stepped up its efforts to drum up support for its bid to become a member of NSG, with its top diplomat dialling foreign ministers of Austria and Turkey.
Foreign Office said that Pakistan was continuing with diplomatic efforts to muster support for its candidacy of the 48-members elite grouping.
The Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz today made telephone calls to Foreign Minister of Austria Sebastian Kurz and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
"The Adviser underscored Pakistan's credentials for NSG membership and emphasized the importance of non-discriminatory approach on NSG expansion to non-NPT states," it said.

Pakistan increased efforts to garner diplomatic support after US President Barack Obama endorsed Indian bid for NSG membership.
Aziz has already said Pakistan was sure to get membership on merit if the gates of NSG were opened for India.
He recently spoke with Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentilioni, New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Foreign Minister of Republic of Korea Yun Byung-se to seek their support.
Aziz had earlier spoke over telephone with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the issue.