Islamabad, 19 December 2023 (TDI): The President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi has underscored the need for increasing cooperation with Egypt, Oman, Bosnia, Sri Lanka, and Cyprus in the fields of trade, economy, and culture.
He expressed these views while talking to the ambassadors-designate/High Commissioner of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Sultanate of Oman, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Republic of Cyprus, and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The envoys presented their diplomatic credentials to the President and separately called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.
Welcoming the ambassador-designate of Egypt to Pakistan, Dr. Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan, the President highlighted the importance Pakistan attached to its bilateral relations with Egypt reflected by shared bonds of common faith, cultural affinities, and values between the people of the two brotherly countries. He emphasized the need for increasing the trade, economic, and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
The President Alvi expressed Pakistan’s deep concern over the killing of innocent people and the tremendous damage done to the public property in Gaza by the Israeli security forces. Dr. Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan informed that Egypt was supporting humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Talking to the Ambassador-designate of the Sultanate of Oman, Mr. Fahad Sulaiman Khalaf al Kharusi, the President said that Pakistan and Oman enjoyed excellent relations in various fields. He informed the ambassador that Pakistan offered an investment-friendly-environment to foreign investors and had constituted, in this regard, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) that provided one window operation for investment in IT, corporate farming, minerals, and energy sector of Pakistan.
The President also highlighted the atrocities being committed by India in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K). The Ambassador conveyed His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik’s best wishes to the people and government of Pakistan.
He said that he would work to further improve bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries.
Welcoming the Ambassador-designate of Bosnia & Herzegovina, Emin Cohodarevic, the President stated that Pakistan deeply valued its friendship with Bosnia & Herzegovina based on brotherhood and mutual trust.
He highlighted that there was tremendous scope to further increase cooperation in the areas of trade, economy, and people-to-people contacts. The Ambassador said that he would work to further promote political, economic, and cultural relations.
While speaking to the High Commission-designate of Sri Lanka, Admiral (R) Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne, the President said that relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan have strengthened over the last seven decades.
He underlined the need for enhancing and strengthening cultural linkages between the two countries, besides exchanging visits at the political and cultural levels. The President acknowledged that Sri Lanka was the first country that entered into a Free Trade Agreement with Pakistan and highlighted the need to increase the volume of bilateral trade for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
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During his discussion with the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Cyprus, Andreas P. Kouzoupis, President Alvi said that Pakistan considered Cyprus as an important friend and wanted to further improve bilateral relations with Cyprus.
He appreciated the Republic of Cyprus’ consistent support to Pakistan in the context of the European Union. The President voiced strong concern over happenings in Gaza, stating that Israeli security forces had crossed all limits by killing innocent people, including children and women.
The President congratulated the envoys on their appointments and expressed the hope that they would play their role to further boost bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.
