Australia, Pakistan security cooperation growing: Adamson

High commissioner opens exhibition marking 70 years of diplomatic relations

ISLAMABAD: Cooperation between Australia and Pakistan is growing for fighting terrorism, extremism and international crime, Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson said on Monday.

“Australia was quick to establish a High Commission in Karachi in 1948 after recognising the new country of Pakistan the previous year,” she said launching an exhibition marking the 70th anniversary of the opening of Australia’s resident diplomatic mission in Pakistan.

High Commissioner Adamson said: “The photos in this exhibition tell the story of how the relationship has developed since then.”

The images were drawn from a wide range of Australia-Pakistan engagement spanning development cooperation and humanitarian assistance, defence, education, sport, trade and cultural ties, as well as  people-to-people linkages, she said.

“I am pleased the exhibition will be accompanied by performances from Australian Pakistani singer Umer Iftikhar,” Adamson said. “As an Australian graduate, Umer is a great example of how education can build bridges between nations and across cultures.”

Australia is a popular education destination for Pakistani students, with more than 12,000 studying there this year.

“Our thousands of alumni in Pakistan contributing to their nation’s development, and their active connections to Australia, are an asset to both countries,” she said.

As a friend and a partner of 70 years standing, Australia will continue to support Pakistan in the future through development partnership, she said “Our security cooperation combating terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime,” she said.

Last September, the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay visited Lahore – the first stop in South Asia on its way from London to its 338 days, 230,000km journey to Australia’s Gold Coast.

“Being two sports-loving nations, I know Australian and Pakistani athletes and sports fans alike will enjoy the competition and spectacle of the Commonwealth Games in April,” High Commissioner Adamson said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2018.