The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Pakistan and Jordan pledged Saturday to strengthen strategic and economic cooperation during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who arrived in Islamabad for a two-day official visit.
State-run PTV said the two leaders agreed to deepen
collaboration in trade, investment, health, education and defense, and to
expand coordination at regional and international forums. Senior Pakistani
officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Army
Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar,
attended the talks.
Sharif welcomed King Abdullah’s visit, calling it a
testament to the “enduring friendship between Pakistan and Jordan.” King
Abdullah thanked Pakistan for supporting Jordan’s role in humanitarian efforts
in Gaza, and both leaders reaffirmed their opposition to any relocation of
Palestinians from the territory. They also agreed to enhance coordination among
the eight Arab-Islamic countries working with the United States on securing a
Gaza ceasefire.
The Pakistani prime minister briefed the king on recent
regional developments, particularly in Afghanistan and India. King Abdullah
acknowledged Pakistan’s contribution to regional peace and stability, officials
said.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of memorandums of
understanding to expand cooperation in media, culture and education. Sharif
later hosted a dinner for the Jordanian monarch and his delegation.
Earlier, King Abdullah received a guard of honor at the
Prime Minister’s House. President Asif Ali Zardari, the prime minister, First
Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari and other senior officials welcomed him at PAF Base
Nur Khan in Rawalpindi. Zardari said he hoped the visit would give bilateral
relations “a new strategic dimension.”
A special ceremony at the presidential palace is scheduled
to confer Pakistan’s highest civilian award on the Jordanian king.
King Abdullah’s trip follows Pakistani Army Chief Asim
Munir’s visit to Jordan last month, during which he met the king and military
officials to discuss defense and security cooperation.
