Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday called for strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Somalia in all areas of mutual interest, particularly trade and economy.
The president said Pakistan had initiated the ‘Engage Africa Policy’, which would further boost bilateral relations with all African countries.
The President expressed these views while talking to the outgoing Ambassador of Somalia Khadija M. Almakhzoumi, who paid a farewell call on him, here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The president expressed gratitude to the government of Somalia for participating in the two sessions of the Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC Countries held in Islamabad this March.
He underscored the need for increasing the exchange of parliamentary delegations between the two countries and invited the Somali parliamentarians to benefit from the Parliamentary Services Program offered by the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Service (PIPS), Islamabad.
He highlighted that Pakistan eagerly welcomed African students and a large number of Somali students were already enrolled in Pakistani academic institutions.
He said Pakistan was host to a sizeable number of Somali refugees and was desirous of their safe and early return to their homes.
The president appreciated the services of the outgoing envoy in promoting bilateral ties between the two countries and conveyed his best wishes for her future responsibilities.
