ISLAMABAD, Oct 24 (APP): Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday held separate meetings with transport ministers and senior officials from various countries on the sidelines of the Regional Transport Ministers Conference (RTMC).
Those who held separate meetings included Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Transport and Logistics Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Transport Bimal Niroshan Rathnayake Weerakon, and ECO Secretary General and former Ambassador Dr. Asad Majeed, said a press release.
The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation, developing logistic partnerships, promoting investments and strengthening regional connectivity were in the agenda.
Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan stated that Pakistan seeks a logistic partnership with Türkiye, highlighting the vast opportunities available for collaboration through the National Logistics Cell (NLC). He emphasized the importance of stronger linkages and partnerships between the business communities of both countries. Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu reaffirmed his country’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Pakistan and its economic partners.
During the meeting, the Chairman of the National Highway Authority (NHA) was designated as the focal person for Pakistan–Türkiye communication cooperation. Abdul Aleem Khan remarked that there is a Pakistani in every street of Türkiye, consider me your Ambassador here in Pakistan. He also lauded Türkiye’s remarkable development under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In a separate meeting, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Transport and Logistics Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih called on Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan who said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are two nations with one soul and that their deep-rooted ties are a matter of great pride for Pakistan. Dr. Al-Rumaih invited the Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan to visit Kindgom of Saudi Arabia and commended the successful organization of the Regional Transport Ministers Conference.
Meanwhile, during the meeting between Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Transport Bimal Niroshan Rathnayake Weerakon, both sides agreed to enhance joint business opportunities and connect relevant stakeholders. The Sri Lankan Minister shared that Expressions of Interest (EOIs) had been invited for the construction of two new Ports and three logistic centers in Sri Lanka, expressing interest in learning from Pakistan’s experience. He also proposed cooperation with Pakistan in modernizing Sri Lanka’s bus fleet and promoting Buddhist cultural heritage. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan assured full support and cooperation, stating that Pakistan’s NLC and FWO would actively contribute to consultancy and collaboration in Sri Lanka’s infrastructure development projects. ECO Secretary General Asad Majeed also called on Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, during which both sides agreed to strengthen institutional coordination and further reinforce the Istanbul–Tehran–Islamabad corridor.
Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan reaffirmed that Pakistan seeks to promote sustainable regional connectivity, logistic collaboration and economic partnerships with all friendly countries. The meeting also included discussions on the successful organization of the Regional Transport Ministers Conference and its positive outcomes.