Pakistan and Oman reaffirm commitment to expanding cooperation horizons - Sarmad

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, and Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Al Busaidi, on Wednesday affirmed their countries’ commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors, particularly trade, investment, and maritime transport.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this came at the conclusion of the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission in Islamabad. It noted that both sides reaffirmed the strong fraternal ties between them and their resolve to broaden bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, maritime transport, logistics, agriculture, industry, energy, education, information technology, human resource development, and climate change.

The statement added that both sides stressed the need to enhance people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Oman, facilitate the movement of labor, and promote exchanges of business delegations. They also agreed to activate joint working groups in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, oil and gas, labor, and human resource development to ensure the implementation of agreements and strengthen institutional cooperation.

On regional issues, Ishaq Dar emphasized the importance of exercising restraint, de-escalating tensions, encouraging dialogue and diplomacy, and ensuring the safety of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab. He expressed Pakistan’s condemnation of the recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, affirming solidarity with the Kingdom and support for its sovereignty and security.

He also reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support for the Palestinian people and their rights, calling for the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and for a just and permanent resolution to the Palestinian issue in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.