Pakistan, Oman vow to bolster bilateral relations

Qureshi, Alawi hold joint press conference in Muscat

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad wants to widen economic and diplomatic ties with Oman, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said.

Qureshi, who is an official visit to Oman, was speaking at a joint press conference with his Omani counterpart Omar Yusuf Alawi after attending the seventh Joint Ministerial Commission meeting in Muscat on Thursday.

He said that over 25,000 Pakistanis came to work in Oman just in 2018, adding that "Oman will greatly benefit from our human resources".

Qureshi said he and his counterpart had discussed ways to improve bilateral relations.



"We have signed various MoUs so that we can ensure that we meet our objectives in line with the rules and principles of the commission," the foreign minister said.

"About 30 per cent of Omanis originate from Pakistan’s province of Balochistan," he added.

These people had settled in Oman after migrating from Balochistan 100 years ago.

"I am happy to note that Pakistanis in Oman have been playing a critical role in the development of Oman," Qureshi said, adding that a joint working group should be formed to increase trade and commerce between the two countries.

He said Pakistan was fully capable to fulfill Omani market's need in garments, pharmaceutical, engineering, agricultural and defence production.