Pakistani Ambassador: Strong defense cooperation with Kuwait... and we will always stand by its side
Mays Al-Sukari: 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 Pakistani government is actively engaging in diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and bring all parties back to the negotiating table, expressing optimism about the possibility of making progress in this regard.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the launch of Pakistan Fruit Week today at the Capital Complex, Iqbal pointed to recent positive indicators regarding the resumption of the negotiation process between the United States and Iran. He highlighted that the U.S. President had also spoken about the potential return of negotiations, expressing his hope that peace and stability would prevail in the region.
He stressed that any military escalation would not be confined to one country but would have serious repercussions across the entire region, prompting Pakistan to continue its diplomatic efforts to prevent the situation from worsening. He clarified that the Pakistani Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Field Marshal are leading continuous efforts to de-escalate tensions, alongside ongoing communication with the Kuwaiti leadership.
Iqbal added that some of these communications are announced in the media, while others take place away from the spotlight, emphasizing that the trust-based relations between the two countries necessitate continued coordination under all circumstances.
When asked about the possibility of sending Pakistani troops to Kuwait, he stated that he could not comment on the matter due to a lack of information regarding any such measures 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 noted the continuation of military training programs, as well as the exchange of expertise and technical cooperation between the two countries in various fields of mutual interest.
He reiterated that Pakistan will always stand by Kuwait, stating, “Brothers stand by each other in times of hardship, and we stand with Kuwait. The relations uniting our countries are based on trust and brotherhood, and we will continue to provide all we can to support Kuwait and its people.”
On the occasion, Iqbal noted that the launch of Pakistan Fruit Week in Kuwait reflects the depth of friendship between the two countries and opens new horizons to enhance trade and investment cooperation, particularly in the field of food security. He said that fruit is not merely an agricultural product but represents a message of friendship uniting the Kuwaiti and Pakistani peoples.
“When we talk about fruit, we are actually talking about friendship. When we bring Pakistani fruit to Kuwait, we bring with it the feelings of affection that bind our two countries. Relations between Kuwait and Pakistan are very strong, and Kuwaitis are well aware of the quality of Pakistani products, but we were keen to introduce them to more distinguished varieties.”
He called on Kuwaiti investors to seriously consider the Pakistani market, explaining that Pakistan is not only a huge 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 makes agricultural investment in Pakistan a suitable option to enhance food security, emphasizing that achieving food security is a shared responsibility between the two countries.
Regarding bilateral trade, the Ambassador revealed that the volume of 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, attributing this achievement to continuous coordination with Kuwaiti authorities.
The Pakistani Ambassador explained that his country managed to overcome restrictions imposed by developments related to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by establishing 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 direct shipping movements between Pakistan and Kuwait have now returned to normal.
He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Kuwaiti government, led by His Highness the Amir, for the measures and regulations taken that contributed to ensuring the continued availability of goods in the markets. He emphasized that consumers in Kuwait did not feel any shortage of products despite the regional circumstances.
