By: Asif Sheikh
ISLAMABAD – Ambassador of Mauritius to Pakistan Mansoor Kareem Bakhsh has called for stronger trade, investment, tourism, educational and cultural cooperation between Pakistan and Mauritius, saying the two countries have significant untapped potential to expand bilateral relations.
Speaking at the National Press Club Islamabad’s “Meet the Press” programme, the ambassador said greater people-to-people contact and public awareness could help unlock new opportunities in trade and investment between the two countries.
Mansoor Kareem Bakhsh said Mauritius is an island nation with a population of around 1.2 million. The country gained independence in 1968 and became a republic in 1992. He said education is free in Mauritius, while tourism, which has been a major focus since the 1980s, has developed into one of the key pillars of the country’s economy.
He said Mauritius enjoys a strong and peaceful economy, with tourism, information technology and manufacturing among its important economic sectors. Pakistan and Mauritius, he added, could significantly benefit from expanding commercial and investment ties.
The ambassador revealed that he had held meetings with officials of Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce to explore possibilities for free trade between the two countries.
He said Mauritius offers several investment opportunities for Pakistani investors, while Mauritian businesses are also interested in expanding investment and commercial relations with Pakistan.
He identified business-to-business cooperation, student exchanges, tourism and educational collaboration as key areas that could strengthen bilateral ties.
A youth-focused seminar is also planned for September, while efforts are underway to establish contacts with relevant Pakistani institutions, including the Higher Education Commission.
Reflecting on his experience in Pakistan, where he has been posted since 2024, Ambassador Mansoor Kareem Bakhsh spoke warmly about the Pakistani people.
He described Pakistanis as “extremely hospitable, loving and friendly”, saying he had never felt like a stranger during his stay in the country.
He also recalled his longstanding interest in Pakistan and said he had always wanted to learn Urdu. According to the ambassador, Pakistan is generally spoken of with love and respect in Mauritius, while there are positive sentiments toward Pakistani culture and people.
The ambassador said students from several countries, particularly African states, travel to Mauritius for higher education.
He said Pakistani students also have opportunities to study in Mauritius and that he would obtain further information and statistics regarding educational opportunities for Pakistani students and share them with interested students in Pakistan.
Speaking about his background, Mansoor Kareem Bakhsh said he had studied social work and business administration and remained associated with education, the social sector and union activities.
He said diplomacy was a relatively new field for him and that he believed in conducting thorough research before taking on a new responsibility.
The ambassador also disclosed that he had been associated with politics and contested elections in 2019, although he was unsuccessful. He later entered the diplomatic field, explaining that before entering politics he had focused on achieving financial and professional stability.
The Mauritian envoy also highlighted opportunities for Pakistan and Mauritius to cooperate in combating drug abuse.
He said the two countries could share experiences and expertise in areas including awareness, prevention and control to address the problem more effectively.
Referring to Allama Muhammad Iqbal and the idea that “cultural exchange is my dream,” the ambassador expressed his commitment to expanding cultural, educational, commercial and people-to-people relations between Pakistan and Mauritius.
He stressed that stronger cultural understanding could complement economic cooperation and bring the people of the two countries closer.
Speaking at the event, National Press Club President Abdul Razzaq Sial said Pakistan and Mauritius enjoy friendly relations and described Mauritius as a beautiful tourist destination.
He said Pakistani media could play an important role in promoting Mauritius as a tourism destination and highlighting its attractions to Pakistani audiences.
Sial said the ambassador had been invited to brief journalists about bilateral relations, tourism, trade and investment opportunities, expressing hope that the programme would encourage Pakistani citizens and journalists to learn more about Mauritius and visit the country.
NPC Secretary Dr Furqan Rao said the media had an important role in strengthening Pakistan-Mauritius relations. He urged the Mauritian ambassador to help facilitate the visa process for Pakistani citizens, particularly students, businesspeople and tourists, to promote greater interaction between the two countries.
He said the National Press Club was ready to contribute to the promotion of tourism, culture and people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Mauritius.
Dr Furqan Rao also highlighted Pakistan’s vast tourism potential, particularly in the northern areas, and stressed the need to introduce Pakistan’s natural beauty and tourist destinations to the people of Mauritius.
At the conclusion of the programme, the National Press Club presented a commemorative shield to Ambassador Mansoor Kareem Bakhsh.
