President for early signing of FTA between Pakistan, Switzerland

President Dr Arif Alvi has expressed the need for the expeditious signing of the mutually agreed upon Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Switzerland after taking all stakeholders on board.

He said that the FTA would provide a formal framework for enhanced and speedy cooperation in the fields of trade, economy and commerce.

The president made these remarks while talking to the outgoing Ambassador of Switzerland Bénédict de Cerjat, who paid a farewell call on him at the President’s House on Thursday, said a press release issued here.

Talking to the outgoing ambassador, the president said that the world community should take serious notice of the rising Islamophobia and polarization in Indian society.

He called upon the international community to take meaningful steps for curbing the incidents of intimidation and terrorisation of minorities in India, and violence connected with Islamophobia to mitigate the sufferings of Indian Muslims and other religious minorities.

The president emphasised that refugees originating from any part of the world should be treated with equity and equality and should be extended with facilities and refuge without any discrimination based on colour, creed, race, religion or region.

He further urged the need for taking practical steps by the international community to help defuse tensions and unrest in conflict-ridden countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2022.