THE warmth in relations between Pakistan and the Gulf countries is very deep and unique as it is in the hearts of their peoples. Kuwait also comes in the category of countries with which Pakistan enjoys very close historic relations. This year, both the countries are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. A joint inaugural event was held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday where both Minister of State Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Kuwait’s Ambassador Nassar Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi collectively expressed the resolve to take the relationship forward in the areas of mutual interest including health, skilled manpower, IT, food and security.
The Kuwaiti Ambassador has always shown special love and affection for the people of Pakistan and the speech he delivered at the anniversary ceremony clearly showed that he is a true friend of Pakistan and truly wants from the core of his heart, the country progressing and moving forward on the path of development. This in fact is a manifestation of the special importance that the top Kuwaiti leadership accords to Pakistan. By enhancing the level of engagement, both sides can enter into win-win ventures, as also pointed out by the MOS Khar. Time has proved that both countries have stood for each other in their most difficult and testing times. Pakistan was among the first countries that sent troops to Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion in 1990. Nine Pakistani soldiers were martyred during mine clearing operations. Similarly, Pakistan most recently sent a medical team to Kuwait to help it better cope with Covid-19 pandemic which, in fact, has opened the doors of more cooperation in the health sector. In fact the potential of cooperation is immense which can be exploited by engaging more deeply at different levels. Kuwait’s liberalization of visa regime for Pakistani businessmen and skilled professionals is a step in the right direction to immensely boost the mutually beneficial relations in future. As Kuwait is aiming to diversify its economy away from oil, Pakistan can provide the much needed skilled workforce to the country in different areas including Information Technology.
