President calls for strengthening political, economic ties with Libya

ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari, Wednesday, asked Pakistan’s Ambassador-Designate to Libya, Maj. Gen. (R) Mumtaz Hussain, to work towards strengthening high-level political engagement and expanding economic, trade and investment cooperation between Pakistan and Libya.

The president, while congratulating Maj. Gen. (R) Mumtaz Hussain, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr, said Pakistan attaches great importance to its longstanding and cordial relations with Libya, based on shared faith, mutual respect and common values.

He emphasised the scope for enhanced cooperation in defence, energy, information technology, healthcare, education, agriculture and human resource development, President Secretariat Media Wing said in a press release.

The president also stressed the importance of greater interaction between the business communities of the two countries and highlighting investment opportunities in Pakistan under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

The president said Pakistan would continue to support Libya’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and efforts for lasting peace, stability and national reconciliation.

He asked the ambassador-designate to accord priority to the welfare of the Pakistani community in Libya.

He also expressed hope for continued cooperation with Libya at the United Nations, the OIC and other multilateral forums on issues of mutual interest, including Palestine and Jammu & Kashmir.

The president conveyed his best wishes to the ambassador-designate for a successful and productive tenure and asked him to convey his warm greetings to the Libyan leadership and people.

Maj. Gen. (R) Mumtaz Hussain said that his priority as ambassador would be to work on matters concerning the Pakistani community in Libya and to promote and increase bilateral trade between Pakistan and Libya.