Nigeria And Pakistan Reaffirm Commitment to Deepening Relations

AFOLABI SAHEED OLAWALE

The Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, received in audience in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, the High Commissioner-Designate of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Major General Kamran Tabrez Savera (Rtd.).

Discussions centred on the deepening of bilateral ties and the strengthening of partnerships across political, economic, cultural and defense spheres.

In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of State congratulated Maj. Gen. Savera (Rtd.) on his appointment as the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria. He extolled the cordial state of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Pakistan, and highlighted prospects for the enhancement of economic cooperation, institutional partnership, multilateral collaboration and high-level exchanges. He urged both countries to bolster the Nigeria-Pakistan Joint Commission, for the strengthening of existing partnerships and the exploration of avenues for new ones.

The High Commissioner-Designate, in his response, expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its leadership for their support and cooperation since his arrival in Abuja. He noted that Nigeria remained a pillar of stability and security as well as an important partner of Pakistan in Africa. He, therefore, called for regular consultations and dialogues between both countries, for the furtherance of cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade, agriculture, manufacturing and defense.

Amb. Enikanolaye and H.E. Maj. Gen. Savera (Rtd.) agreed on the potential for enhanced defense cooperation between Nigeria and Pakistan, particularly in the areas of capacity building and complementarity.