Pakistan keen to reinvigorate ties with Egypt: Qureshi

Briefs President Sisi on Pakistan’s shifting focus from geopolitics to geoeconomics

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday expressed Pakistan’s keenness to reinvigorate traditional bilateral relationship with Egypt rooted in shared faith, culture and values.

Qureshi, during his two-day visit to Cairo, called on President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen and diversify bilateral ties.

Foreign minister Qureshi briefed the President on Pakistan’s shifting focus from geopolitics to geoeconomics. He stressed that the vision of ‘Naya Pakistan’ was predicated on economic connectivity and ensuring peace within and beyond our borders.

“Pakistan will always look to be a partner in peace and progress,” he added.

Qureshi further shed light over various opportunities to strengthen mutual ties, in bilateral and multilateral arena.

Expressing satisfaction at the growing bilateral defence ties, the foreign minister said that the two countries could also share their experience in countering terrorism and extremism.

He also briefed the president on the situation in Pakistan’s neighborhood, in particular Islamabad’s efforts to facilitate the Afghan Peace Process, the ongoing human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and continued denial of the Kashmiri people’s legitimate right to self-determination.

Stressing that Pakistan always supported resolution of differences through dialogue and diplomacy, the foreign minister appreciated Egypt’s recent efforts in the region. 

President Sisi reciprocated the warm feelings of the Pakistani leadership and fondly recalled his recent interactions with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He expressed hope that the visit of Foreign Minister Qureshi would pave the way for enhanced bilateral ties and dynamic multilateral cooperation.

The Foreign Minister presented the invitation of President Arif Alvi to the Egyptian President to visit Pakistan. President Sisi graciously accepted the invitation and promised to visit at the earliest opportunity.