ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has told President of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al Sisi that Pakistan is keen to reinvigorate traditional bilateral relationship, rooted in shared faith, culture and values with the African country.
The foreign minister, who is on an official visit to Egypt, called on President Sisi in Cairo on Wednesday and discussed with him Pakistan’s shifting focus from geo-politics to geo-economics.
Qureshi conveyed warm greetings of Pakistan’s leadership to the Egyptian president, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement issued here. He appreciated the stability and progress achieved by Egypt under his able leadership.
He stressed that the vision of “Naya Pakistan” is predicated on economic connectivity and ensuring peace within and beyond Pakistan’s borders. He said Pakistan would always look to be a partner in peace and progress.
Recalling the decades-old warm bilateral ties between the two countries, Qureshi expressed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen and diversify bilateral ties. briefed the Egyptian president on various opportunities to strengthen mutual ties, in the bilateral and multilateral arena.
Expressing satisfaction at the growing bilateral defence ties, the foreign minister said that the two countries can also share their experience in countering terrorism and extremism. He briefed the president on the situation in Pakistan’s neighbourhood, in particular Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate the Afghan peace process, the ongoing human rights violations in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), and continued denial of the Kashmiri people’s legitimate right to self-determination.
Stressing that Pakistan always supports a resolution of differences through dialogue and diplomacy, the foreign minister appreciated Egypt’s recent efforts in the region.
President Sisi reciprocated the warm feelings of the Pakistani leadership and fondly recalled his recent interactions with Prime Minister Imran Khan. He expressed hope that the visit of Foreign Minister Qureshi would pave the way for enhanced bilateral ties and dynamic multilateral cooperation.
The foreign minister extended the invitation of President Arif Alvi to the Egyptian president to visit Pakistan, which he accepted with a promise to visit at the earliest opportunity.
During his visit, FM Qureshi urged Egyptian companies to benefit from ample investment opportunities in Pakistan in various sectors, including construction, energy and health.
The foreign minister was talking to a delegation of distinguished Egyptian businessmen and entrepreneurs, who called on him in Cairo, said a press statement issued on Wednesday.
The foreign minister assured the Egyptian investors and businessmen of the government’s every possible cooperation and facilitation in their profit-oriented business and investment activities in Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan’s improved rating in terms of ease of doing business at international level depicts full confidence of the international community in the policies of the present government. He also said that the existing brotherly relations between Pakistan and Egypt can be translated into strong bilateral trade and economic ties by exploring the true investment potential.
Representatives of the Egyptian companies expressed their interest in investment in Pakistan’s healthcare, energy and construction sectors.
President and chief executive officer (CEO) of renowned Egyptian company Elsewedy Electric Ahmed Elsewedy also called on Foreign Minister Qureshi in Cairo and showed the company’s interest in investment in Pakistan.
Talking to him, the foreign minister said that Pakistan is an emerging market and business companies from around the world are showing interest in investment in Pakistan due to prudent economic policies of the government.
