Islamabad and Amman reject Palestinian displacement; Prime Minister and King of Jordan promise to improve relations
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcome King Abdullah II of Jordan upon his arrival in Islamabad. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto are also seen in the picture. Photo: Online
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Jordan on Saturday discussed further deepening bilateral relations as well as exploring avenues for greater cooperation in economic, trade, investment, health, science and technology, education and defense sectors.
The issues were discussed during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and visiting dignitary King Abdullah II at the Prime Minister House.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing strategic and economic ties between Pakistan and Jordan, as well as expanding mutually beneficial collaboration in regional and international forums.
The Prime Minister welcomed the visit of King Abdullah II to Pakistan and highlighted it as a testimony to the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and Jordan.
The king praised Pakistan’s continued support for Jordan’s role in regional stability and humanitarian efforts during the Gaza conflict as well as in post-war Gaza.
The meeting also included a broad exchange of views on regional security and peace initiatives.
On the question of Palestine, both leaders recognized the unanimity of views and principled positions adopted by Pakistan and Jordan regarding post-war Gaza; Zero tolerance for any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
The two leaders agreed to improve coordination between the eight Islamic Arab countries that are working with the United States on the Gaza ceasefire and the Gaza Peace Plan signed in Sharm El-Sheikh.
The Prime Minister also updated King Abdullah on recent developments in Pakistan’s neighboring countries, especially Afghanistan and India.
The Jordanian king recognized Pakistan’s key role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
He thanked the people and Government of Pakistan for their warm hospitality during his visit to Pakistan.
Both dignitaries witnessed an MoU exchange ceremony in the field of media, culture and education.
The prime minister also hosted a banquet in his honor and that of the delegation accompanying him.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ataullah Tarar, Climate Change Minister Dr Musaddiq Malik and senior government officials were also part of the delegation.
Earlier, King Abdullah II of Jordan was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari upon his arrival in Pakistan on Saturday for a two-day state visit.
It was the first official visit by a Jordanian monarch in 21 years.
As the king’s plane entered Pakistani airspace, a formation of Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder aircraft provided a protective escort and accompanied the royal flight to Islamabad.
President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received the king at Nur Khan Air Base. First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, members of the federal cabinet and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were also present on the occasion.
Expressing his views on the occasion, President Zardari said that the visit of King Abdullah II would give Pakistan-Jordan relations a new strategic dimension. He added that the ties between the two countries are based on historical brotherhood, mutual trust and shared values.
Later, the king arrived at the Prime Minister House, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly received Jordan’s King Abdullah II during a dignified reception held at the Prime Minister House.
An elegant contingent of the armed forces presented a guard of honor to the visiting dignitary.
The king reviewed the honor guard. The national anthems of the two countries were also played on the occasion.
The king was introduced to members of the federal cabinet, while the prime minister was introduced to the Jordanian delegation.
The King of Jordan planted a sapling on the premises of the Prime Minister’s House.
The Jordanian monarch’s last visit to Pakistan was at the invitation of former president Mamnoon Hussain.
Memoranda of Understanding
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and King Abdullah II witnessed a ceremony of exchanging agreements and memorandums of understanding in the field of media, culture and education.
The four documents included the Cultural Cooperation Programme, a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of Chairs of Urdu and Pakistan Studies at the University of Jordan and two agreements between the Pakistan Television Corporation, the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation.
On Pakistan’s side, the MoUs were exchanged by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Federal Ministers Attaullah Tarar and Dr Musadik Malik.
From Jordan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, exchanged the documents.
