Zafar Iqbal: Pakistan actively engages diplomatically to de-escalate tensions and resume negotiations, with optimism about progress in this track

Osama Diab: Dr. Zafar Iqbal, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Kuwait, affirmed that Kuwaiti-Pakistani relations are witnessing continuous development across various levels. He noted that the launch of the Pakistani Fruit Week in Kuwait reflects the depth of friendship between the two countries and opens new horizons for enhancing commercial and investment cooperation, particularly in the field of food security.

In a press statement on the sidelines of the launch of the Pakistani Fruit Week, which began yesterday morning, Iqbal stated that fruit represents more than just an agricultural product; it conveys a message of friendship uniting the Kuwaiti and Pakistani peoples.

"When we speak of fruit, we are in fact speaking of friendship. When we bring Pakistani fruit to Kuwait, we bring with it the feelings of goodwill that bind our two countries. Relations between Kuwait and Pakistan are very strong, and Kuwaitis are well aware of the quality of Pakistani products. However, we were keen to introduce them to more distinguished varieties," he added.

He clarified that the current event follows a previous activity organized a few weeks ago, but this week is dedicated entirely to Pakistani fruit. He pointed out that six or seven of the best varieties of Pakistani mangoes, considered among the finest in the world, will be displayed.

Iqbal emphasized that Pakistan possesses significant potential that can contribute to supporting Kuwait’s food security. He noted that the two countries are already working to enhance cooperation in this area, and that Pakistan is capable of providing agricultural land on a lease basis to Kuwaiti investors.

He stated that Kuwaiti investors can lease agricultural land in Pakistan to produce various types of food crops, either to meet the needs of the Kuwaiti market or to export surpluses to other markets, confirming that this represents a promising investment opportunity for both sides.

The ambassador called on Kuwaiti investors to seriously consider the Pakistani market, explaining that Pakistan is not only a massive market with over 250 million people but also a suitable hub for production and re-export to many regional and international markets. He added that Kuwait’s limited population size makes agricultural investment in Pakistan a suitable option for enhancing food security, stressing that achieving food security is a shared responsibility between the two countries.

Regarding trade exchange, the Pakistani ambassador revealed that the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $1.5 billion this year. He clarified that more than $1 billion of this figure relates to the oil sector, which Pakistan imports from Kuwait, while Kuwaiti non-oil exports are witnessing noticeable growth.

He noted that Pakistani exports to Kuwait recorded a new record high this year, despite the disturbances in the region. He confirmed that this achievement was realized thanks to continuous coordination with Kuwaiti authorities.

He explained that his country managed to overcome restrictions imposed by developments related to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by creating alternative routes for transporting goods to Kuwait, which contributed to the uninterrupted flow of commodities. He added that during the period of airspace closure, shipments reached Kuwait via the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whereas currently, direct shipping movements between Pakistan and Kuwait have returned to normal.

The ambassador expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Government of the State of Kuwait, led by His Highness Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for the measures and regulations taken that contributed to ensuring the continued availability of goods in markets. He confirmed that consumers in Kuwait did not feel any shortage of products despite regional circumstances.

Regarding security developments in the region, Zafar Iqbal affirmed that the Pakistani government is actively engaging diplomatically to de-escalate tensions and bring all parties back to the negotiating table, expressing optimism about the possibility of progress in this regard.

He pointed out that positive indicators have recently emerged regarding the resumption of the negotiation process, noting that the US President also spoke about the possibility of a return to negotiations. He expressed his hope that peace and stability would prevail in the region.

He stressed that any military escalation would not be limited in its impact to a single state but would have serious repercussions on the entire region, which drives Pakistan to continue its diplomatic efforts to prevent the situation from worsening.

He explained that the Pakistani Prime Minister and the Vice President and Field Marshal are leading continuous efforts to de-escalate tensions, alongside ongoing communication with the Kuwaiti leadership. He added that some of these communications are announced in the media, while others take place away from the spotlight, confirming that relations based on trust between the two countries necessitate continued coordination under all circumstances.

In response to a question regarding the possibility of sending Pakistani troops to Kuwait, the ambassador stated that he could not comment on the matter due to his lack of information on any such procedures or arrangements.

At the same time, he affirmed that defense cooperation between Kuwait and Pakistan is strong and mature, dating back to the 1980s. He pointed to the continuation of military training programs, exchange of expertise, and technical cooperation between the two countries in various fields of mutual interest.

The Pakistani ambassador concluded his statement by emphasizing that Pakistan will always stand by Kuwait, saying: "Brothers stand by each other in times of hardship. We stand with Kuwait. The relations uniting our countries are based on trust and brotherhood, and we will continue to provide everything we can to support Kuwait and its people."