President calls for strengthening bilateral ties with Australia

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan attaches utmost importance to its ties with Australia and wants to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interests.

Talking to the outgoing spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday, President Alvi emphasised the need to develop collaboration with Australia in the areas of education and vocational training that would help towards the socioeconomic development of Pakistan.

Discussing various aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries, President Alvi stressed that Pakistan and Australia have huge potential to increase trade and economic cooperation.

Pakistan wanted to enhance bilateral cooperation with Australia in diverse fields, particularly education, agriculture, trade, water management, mining and information technology (IT), he said, and stressed the need to attract Australian investment to Pakistan.

The country has adopted business-friendly policies and has shifted its focus from geo-politics to geo-economics, the president said and emphasised the government’s appreciation of the positive role played by the overseas Pakistanis.

The president asked the high commissioner-designate to work for the facilitation and welfare of the Pakistani diaspora in Australia and extend them all possible support and services. Noting the considerable number of Pakistani students in Australia, he highlighted the need for further enhancement of educational cooperation between the two countries.

President Alvi congratulated Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri on his appointment as Pakistan’s high commissioner to Australia and asked him to play his role in further strengthening and diversifying Pakistan-Australia cooperation.

He also appreciated Chaudri for the excellent discharge of his duties as spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and expressed the hope that he would perform his duties as high commissioner of Pakistan to Australia with the same spirit of dedication.