ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President, Dr Arif Alvi, on Tuesday highlighted the need for increasing cooperation with Oman, Bosnia, Egypt, Sri Lanka, and Cyprus in the fields of trade, economy, and culture.
He expressed these views while talking to the ambassadors-designate and High Commissioner of Egypt, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, and Sri Lanka here in Islamabad.
The envoys presented their diplomatic credentials to the President and separately called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
President Receives Egyptian Ambassador-designate
Welcoming the ambassador-designate of Egypt to Pakistan, Dr. Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan, President Alvi underlines the significance Pakistan attached to its bilateral ties with Egypt, reflected by shared bonds of common faith, cultural affinities, and values between the people of the two brotherly nations.
He stressed the need for increasing the trade, economic, and cultural cooperation between the two sides.
He expressed Pakistan’s deep concern over the killing of innocent people and the huge damage done to the public property in Gaza by the Israeli troops.
Dr. Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan informed that Egypt was supporting the humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
President Receives Ambassador-designate of Oman
Talking to the Ambassador-designate of Oman, Fahad Sulaiman Khalaf al Kharusi, President Alvi said that Pakistan and Oman enjoyed excellent ties in various fields.
He informed the diplomat that Pakistan offered an investment-friendly-environment to foreign investors and had established, in this regard, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) that provided a one-window operation for investment in IT, corporate minerals, farming, and energy sector of Pakistan.
The President also underlined the atrocities being committed by India in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The envoy conveyed 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 nations.
President Receives Ambassador-designate of Bosnia & Herzegovina
Welcoming the Ambassador-designate of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Emin Cohodarevic, President Alvi said that Pakistan deeply valued its friendship with Bosnia and Herzegovina based on brotherhood and mutual trust.
He said that there was great scope to further increase cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, and people-to-people contact.
The envoy said that he would work to further promote political, economic and cultural ties with Pakistan.
President Receives High Commission-designate of Sri Lanka
While speaking to the High Commission-designate of Sri Lanka, Admiral (R) Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne, President Alvi said that ties between Sri Lanka and Pakistan had grown from strength to strength over the last seven decades.
He highlighted the need to enhance and strengthen cultural linkages between the two nations, besides exchanging visits at the political and cultural levels.
The President acknowledged that Sri Lanka was the first state to enter into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan and underscored the need to increase the volume of bilateral trade for the mutual benefit of the two nations.
President Receives Ambassador-designate of Cyprus
During his discussion with the Ambassador-designate of Cyprus, Andreas P. Kouzoupis, President Alvi said that Pakistan considered Cyprus as an important friend and wanted to further improve bilateral ties with Cyprus.
He lauded Cyprus’ consistent support of Pakistan in the context of the European Union (EU).
The President voiced strong concern over happenings in Gaza, saying that Israeli troops had crossed all limits by killing innocent people, including women and children.
The President congratulated the diplomats on their appointments and expressed the hope that they would play their role to further boost bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.
