Agrees with Omani counterpart to strengthen trade, investment
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday met with the Secretary General of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, Lt-Gen (retd) Nauman Mahmood, and underscored the critical role of the defence pact in promoting lasting peace in the region, the Foreign Office said. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Dar congratulated Mahmood on his appointment “and wished him success in his important responsibilities.” The foreign minister also highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to promote regional and international peace and stability, the statement added.
The meeting came as Pakistan, which has been trying to maintain its role as a bridge between Iran and the United States while simultaneously managing its growing security commitments to Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the foreign minister also held a telephone conversation with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, during which the two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and energy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday. In a statement, the MoFA said the Omani foreign minister thanked Dar for the gracious hospitality extended to him during his recent visit to Pakistan.
The ministry said both ministers agreed to follow up on the understandings reached during the visit to further strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and energy. They also underscored the importance of continued high-level exchanges to sustain momentum in bilateral relations.
The two foreign ministers exchanged views on regional developments and reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional peace and stability , the statement added. Dar also chaired an inter-ministerial meeting on Pakistan’s trade and export promotion agenda during the day, emphasising the need to strengthen trade facilitation, improve the quality of Pakistani products and expand market access through the European Union’s GSP+ framework, MoFA said.
According to a statement issued by MoFA on X, “the meeting focused on promoting international trade and market access, with detailed discussions covering human rights, labour rights and environmental governance in line with international commitments.”
Dar stressed the importance of an effective, full-spectrum utilisation of the GSP+ framework in the European Union to enhance Pakistan’s export opportunities, the ministry added.
The statement further said that he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to boosting exports and directed the relevant ministries to maintain momentum in facilitating trade.
