Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Pakistan and Oman have agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment and energy, while urging restraint, de-escalation and diplomacy amid tensions in the Gulf region.
The two countries also discussed regional developments, including the situation in Gaza, attacks on Saudi Arabia and negotiations between Iran and the United States, during the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission in Islamabad on Wednesday.
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Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Omani counterpart, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, addressed a joint press conference after the meeting.
Dar said the two sides had agreed to strengthen formal cooperation through joint working groups on trade and investment, agriculture, oil and gas, labour and human resource development. They also agreed to hold a forum in Pakistan soon to promote business investment.
“We exchanged views on the evolving situation in the Gulf, underscoring the importance of restraint, de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy,” Dar said. He stressed the need to ensure safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb because of their importance to global food and energy security.
Dar condemned the recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, saying attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure were “totally unacceptable” and threatened regional peace and security. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its commitment to the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.
On Gaza, Dar said Pakistan and Oman had expressed concern over the continued expansion of Israeli settlements and called for unhindered humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. He also reiterated Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir issue during talks with the Omani foreign minister.
Albusaidi, who arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a two-day visit, appreciated Pakistan’s role in facilitating regional dialogue, including negotiations between Iran and the United States. He said such efforts could help build confidence and advance peaceful solutions to regional challenges.
Albusaidi said the two countries had also discussed expanding economic and commercial cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, logistics, food security and technology.
Dar said Pakistan and Oman shared similar views on regional issues and maintained that “dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward as conflict is no solution to any issue”, as the two sides sought closer economic ties and peaceful solutions to regional tensions.
With PTI Inputs
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
