Islamabad:
President Asif Zardari said Tuesday that Pakistan valued his economic ties with Morocco and saw great potential to boost bilateral cooperation.
He made these comments during a meeting with the Moroccan ambassador, Mohamed Karmoune, who called him Aiwan-E-Sadr, said a presidency statement.
The president observed that Africa is prepared for significant economic growth in the coming years, and Morocco, with its remarkable economic development, is well located to lead this transformation and contribute to regional prosperity.
He added that Pakistan and Morocco enjoy fraternal ties, based on common faith, shared values and mutual respect, which must be strengthened even more for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
The president said that Pakistan is committed to further improve bilateral cooperation with Morocco in various fields. He expressed gratitude for Morocco for his support for Pakistan during the floods of 2022, noting that such gestures reflect the depth of friendship between the two nations.
By reaffirming that Pakistan and Morocco enjoy near and fraternal ties, the president expressed his best wishes for the continuous health of King Mohammed VI. He also asked the ambassador to transmit the good will and the warm cordial of the people of Pakistan to the king and the people of Morocco.
Meanwhile, the president urged intensified efforts to safeguard minority rights, promote religious tolerance and guarantee the restoration of illegally occupied places of worship, reaffirming that minorities are an integral part of Pakistan’s social and national fabric.
He made these comments during a meeting in AIWAN-E-SADR with the Minister of Religious Affairs and Interreligious Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, who reported it on the Ministry’s initiatives, including policy measures, welfare programs and inter-religious commitment, a statement of the presidency said.
President Zardari praised the ministry’s work in the protection of minority rights and the organization of national minority day celebrations, while requested more concrete and specific actions to guarantee justice and inclusion. The minister shared that in fiscal year 2024-25, the minority welfare fund provided RS60 million in scholarships to 2,236 students, financial aid to 1,231 people and RS45 million for the repair and supply of 32 minority worship places.
He also highlighted a new national policy on interreligious harmony, official celebrations of large minority festivals and interreligious conferences throughout the country.
Yousaf also pointed out that the Evacuee Trust Board is maintaining sacred SIJS and Hindu sites and provides free facilities for pilgrims for important religious events, together with efforts to stop hate discourse and coordinate with the provincial and federal authorities.
Thanking the president for his support, the minister said his leadership had played a key role in the advancement of the rights and well -being of Pakistan’s minority communities.
