Ambassador Hashmi met with PM Oli

December 25, Kathmandu. Ambassador of Pakistan to Nepal, H.E Mr. Abrar H. Hashmi, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Rt. Hon. KP Sharma Oli at the Prime Minister's official residence today. The Prime Minister appreciating long historical and cultural linkages stated the people of the region have common and splendid heritage. Civilizations of Harappa, Mohenjodaro to Gandahra in Sindh to the knowledge of medicine and surgery from Nepal are our contributions.  The relations underpinned in history and people, continue to flourish in the era of diplomacy and modern communications.

Highlighting the contemporary challenges of climate change, shifting economic patterns, Rt Hon Prime Minister underscored the need to harness digitization and demographic dividend for poverty alleviation.  The PM said Nepal was committed to revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), emphasizing that despite challenges between member States, regional cooperation should remain unaffected. He reiterated Nepal’s foreign policy of “friendship with all and enmity with none,” assuring national interests while fostering international cooperation through frank and forward looking dialogue. He thanked Pakistan for its friendship, fostering closer people to people, interalia, through technical assistance. The exchanges at all levels, he said, were necessary to sustain and enrich this relationship.

Ambassador Hashmi thanked the Prime Minister for receiving him and conveyed best wishes of the leadership to him and the people of Nepal. He expressed Pakistan’s interest in deepening multifaceted cooperation and highly values Nepal’s commitment to peace, tranquility, democracy and regional cooperation. Pakistan was ready to play its due role including hosting the next SAARC Summit with its true spirit. Ambassador Hashmi reiterated the invitation to Rt. Hon. K.P Sharma Oli  to visit Pakistan, extended by the H.E. Muhmmad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan during their meeting on the sidelines of recently held 79^th UNGA in New York.

Need for  increased cooperation, interalia, by revitalizing bilateral mechanisms of Political Consultations, Joint Economic Commission, Business Council, Joint Working Groups on Tourism, Agriculture and Livestock and alternate Energy as well as relations in education, health, culture, defence, trade and tourism enabled by direct flights, were the focus. Both countries share Himalayas and are impacted by climate change, cooperation in mitigation and disaster management was also considered as a priority area.