ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has underscored the need for forging deeper economic, trade and investment cooperation between Pakistan and Kuwait.
He expressed these views during a meeting with Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Dr Ahmed Nasser Al-Sabah in Islamabad. The prime minister appreciated the two countries working closely to ensure ease of travel and enhancing people-to-people linkages.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister also delivered a letter from the Kuwaiti Prime Minister PM Imran Khan thanked the Kuwaiti leadership for the care afforded to Pakistani expatriates during the pandemic and urged further strengthen strong bond of friendship between the two countries.
Earlier, Pakistan and Kuwait agreed on a roadmap for future engagement for the two countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation and upgrade the ties to a “different level.”
Addressing a joint press conference, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and visiting Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs of Kuwait, Dr Ahmed Nasser Al-Sabah highlighted that the bilateral trade was not up to the potential and there existed a huge room to increase the volume.
The two foreign ministers held delegation-level talks and discussed the wide array of bilateral and regional issues with particular focus on enhancing bilateral engagement.
Foreign Minister Qureshi told media that the roadmap was meant to set a target and vision for the future. He said both sides discussed visa issues lingering on for years wherein he said the Kuwaiti FM gave an encouraging response recognising the contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Kuwait’s development.
The Kuwaiti FM also appreciated Pakistan’s support to Kuwait in challenging times of COVID-19 and expressed interest to invite more doctors, nurses and medical technicians from Pakistan. He said in order to enhance connectivity, Pakistan and Kuwait agreed to develop linkages between Gwadar Port and Mubarak al Kabeer Port of Kuwait.
Kuwaiti FM Dr Ahmed Nasser Al-Sabah acknowledged Pakistan’s historical support and cooperation for Kuwait’s security which continued even to the current pandemic. Referring to his meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said that he conveyed a message from Kuwaiti PM which manifested the solid ties between the two countries.
He said both the countries had agreed to institutionalize the bilateral relations to have clear indicators of cooperation in multiple sectors. He said Pakistani community was an “integral part” of Kuwait’s development for which the country was proud of. He thanked and appreciated Pakistan’s neutral position during the rift in GCC countries and expressed the pleasure over resolution of the dispute.
To a question, Foreign Minister Qureshi said the bilateral trade of over a billion dollars was not up to the mark which could be enhanced manifold. He said under the roadmap, the two countries had agreed for the promotion of cultural ties and linkages in fields of education.
The Kuwaiti FM said that the Kuwaiti government was just dealing with the illegal residents and the Pakistani diaspora did not need to be afraid of losing their jobs. He also assured that the Kuwait leadership was committed to addressing the issue once and for all.
