Islamabad, 14 August 2022 (TDI): The Ambassador of Jordan to Pakistan, Ibrahim Almadani reminisced about the close and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Jordan on the occasion of the former’s 75th Independence Day.
Jordan-Pakistan Relations
In a message, he shared about the relationship between the two brotherly countries as well as his tenure while serving in Pakistan. Following is the test of his message;
“It is both a pleasure and an honor to serve my country in a very dear brotherly and friendly country. Jordan’s relationship with Pakistan is historic and strong.
I come from a military background where I served in the Jordanian Air force as a Pilot and I have retired as Major General. As this is my first Ambassadorial mission abroad, I feel privileged to be here.
From day one, I was welcomed and extended all the courtesies and high intentions by the Government of Pakistan to make my mission a successful one. On a personal level, the warmth and hospitality of the Pakistani people are quite amazing and beyond description.
In God’s will, I intended to carry up the economic and trade bilateral exchange to a higher level to match the highly strong political relationship.
The diplomatic relations began after Pakistan’s Independence in 1947, where Jordan was the fifth country in the world to recognize the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Primarily Jordan Embassy was opened in Karachi in 1957 and then moved to Islamabad after becoming the capital of the country.
Diplomatic Representation is on the level of “Resident Ambassador”.
I presented my credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 26 November 2018.
While Mr. Rahmat Junaid Ambassador of Pakistan to Jordan from 11/12/2017- December 2019. A new Ambassador of Pakistan was appointed in August 2021, Major General (Retired) H.E. “Sajjad Mohib Ali Khan.
The political relations are considered deep and solid. HM King Abdullah II on his last visit to Islamabad in February 2018 praised the deep and strong relations between the two countries, HM also affirmed Jordan’s keenness to strengthen its relations with Pakistan.
‘It is worth mentioning that the Jordanian and Pakistani leaderships are in constant contact and exchange views on regional and international issues, especially with regards to the Middle East issues. Both leaderships express their satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations in various fields.’
The Jordanian Senate formed the Jordanian-Pakistani Fraternity Committee on (22/1/2017) under the chairmanship of H.E. Eng. Atef Al-Tal. Reconstitution of the Jordan-Pakistan Friendship Group on 6/9/2021 with H.E. Senator Jamal Al Shawabkeh as Convener.
Likewise, the reconstitution of the Pakistan-Jordan Parliamentary Friendship Group in the National Assembly was done on 7/3/2019 under MNA Ms. Shagufta Jumani, as its Convener.
Both countries have also been cooperating with each other on the issues of International Terrorism, the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict according to International legitimacy and the Two State solution, and the adoption of political and peaceful solutions to the regional crises including the Syrian crisis.
At the military level cooperation, the two sides regularly participate in reciprocal sessions, exercises, and intensive training courses, where a memorandum of understanding for cooperation between King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) and the Ministry of Defence Production of Pakistan was signed on (14/2/2012).
In November 2019 Special Forces Units from Jordan, Egypt, and Pakistan concluded a joint drill called “Fajr Al Sharq 1” (Dawn of the East 1) in Pakistan.
On the trade and investment front, I find that we need to do more to bring together our business community and Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Both economies provide genuine business opportunities.
For Example, Jordan is a leading exporter country in the world of Phosphate, Fertilizers, and Potash. We can add to this the unique Dead Sea products in cosmetics. Jordan is also a leading Middle East manufacturer and exporter of pharmaceuticals.
I encourage the Pakistani business community to visit Jordan and experience the suitable business climate especially since Jordan has free Trade Agreements with leading economies in the World to enable Jordanian exports to penetrate smoothly into these huge markets.
Tourism also is the main attraction to visiting Jordan and exploring the ancient history of the country and visiting Petra, the Dead Sea, and Maqamat Essahabah (Prophets and Companions of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
For the high-level visits, the last visit of His Majesty King Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein took place during the period from 8-9/2/2018.
Visit of Jordan Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Hunati and the senior Military delegation to Pakistan in January 2021.
While visits by the Pakistani side include:
Visit of General Nadeem Raza the Chairman of Joint Staff of the Pakistani Armed Forces to participate in the Centennial Celebration of Jordan in June 2021.
Visit of Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief of Naval Staff, and accompanying delegation to Jordan in August 2021.
Visit of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javid Bajwa to Jordan in October 2018), the Visit of the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan to the Kingdom in December 2017, The visit of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during the period (18-19/5/2007), Visit of President Pervez Musharraf during the period (22-23/1/2007), Visit of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in 2006.
Pakistan’s Diamond Jubilee
Pakistan is commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of the 75th Independence Day, today. The day began with a 21-gun salute at the provincial headquarters and a 31-gun salute at the federal capital.
At dawn, special prayers were said at mosques for the nation’s peace, unity, and prosperity. A ceremony to raise the national flag was the focal point of the festivities.
Similar flag-raising ceremonies also took place across the nation at provincial, divisional, and district levels. Likewise, the Pakistani missions across the world hosted flag hoisting ceremonies.
