Qureshi offers condolence over demise of UAE’s finance minister

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephonic conversation on Saturday with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and conveyed heartfelt condolences from the government and people of Pakistan on the sad demise of Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Finance Minister of the UAE Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.

Offering prayers for the departed soul, the foreign minister paid rich tribute to the life and services of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, remembering him as a good friend of Pakistan.

UAE's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan thanked him for the considerate gesture.

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He also conveyed best wishes for the speedy recovery and good health of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Expressing satisfaction at the progress in bilateral relations, the two foreign ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation in diverse fields, further facilitate the ease of travel between the two countries, and reinforce mutual support in multilateral organisations.

They also agreed to continue high-level exchanges between the two countries.

Meanwhile, FM Qureshi also met a member of the UK House of Lords, Wajid Khan and discussed matters relating to bilateral relations with the UK, situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and community affairs.

The foreign minister congratulated Lord Wajid Khan on his appointment to the House of Lords.

He apprised Lord Wajid about the steps taken by the government of Pakistan in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. FM Qureshi stressed the importance of enhancing linkages with the United Kingdom and the European Union in the post-Brexit era.

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He underlined the important role of the Pakistani diaspora in boosting relations with the EU and the UK. He added that Pakistani consular offices had been made more responsive to the changing requirements of the community.

Lord Wajid Khan appreciated the role of the government of Pakistan in combating the pandemic. He highlighted the community’s active role in establishing linkages between Pakistan and the UK.

Lord Wajid Khan is a former Member of the European Parliament and Mayor of Burnly, UK and recently appointed as a member of the House of Lords.