Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Tuesday said that Pakistan and Africa had enjoyed excellent political relations over the years and stressed the need to strengthen trade and economic linkages which were yet to realize their full potential.
Highlighting the importance Pakistan attached to Africa, he expressed the desire to enhance relations with African countries, at the bilateral as well as regional level.
The prime minister was called on by a group of resident envoys representing African countries as well as select Asian countries over a lunch, said a press release issued by PM Office Media Wing.
Ambassadors of Algeria and Sudan as well as High Commissioners of Bangladesh, Brunei, Malaysia, Mauritius, and South Africa. Other participants included the Charge d’ Affaires of Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe attended the meeting.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar mentioned that the 4th Pakistan-Africa Trade Conference was being underway in Cairo, Egypt from January 9-11 where Pakistan was represented by a large business delegation led by the commerce minister.
He also expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan’s historic ties with the Southeast Asian countries, particularly Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. PM Kakar said Pakistan was keen to expand bilateral trade ties with these key countries and sought their assistance in strengthening Pakistan’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Referring to the ongoing situation in Gaza, the prime minister stressed the need for dialogue among nations and for intensifying collective efforts to end the violence and bring lasting peace in Palestine.
He also praised the diplomatic envoys for their efforts to build stronger ties with Pakistan and their respective countries.—INP
