Islamabad and Amman reject the displacement of Palestinians; Prime Minister and King of Jordan pledge to strengthen relations
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcome King Abdullah II of Jordan upon his arrival in Islamabad. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto are also seen in the photo. Photo: Online
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Jordan on Saturday discussed deepening their bilateral relations and exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation in the sectors of economy, trade, investment, health, science and technology, education as well as defense.
The issues were discussed during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and visiting dignitary King Abdullah II at the Prime Minister’s House.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic and economic ties between Pakistan and Jordan, as well as expanding mutually beneficial collaboration in regional and international forums.
The Prime Minister welcomed the visit of King Abdullah II to Pakistan, highlighting it as a testimony of the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Jordan.
The king praised Pakistan’s continued support for Jordan’s role in regional stability and humanitarian efforts during the Gaza conflict, as well as in the post-war Gaza Strip.
The meeting was also marked by an in-depth exchange of views on regional security and peace initiatives.
On the issue of Palestine, the two leaders recognized the unanimity of views and principled positions adopted by Pakistan and Jordan regarding the post-war Gaza Strip; zero tolerance for any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen coordination among the eight Arab Islamic countries working with the United States on the Gaza ceasefire and the Gaza Peace Plan signed in Sharm el-Sheikh.
The Prime Minister also briefed King Abdullah on recent developments in Pakistan’s neighborhood, particularly in Afghanistan and India.
The Jordanian king acknowledged Pakistan’s key role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
He thanked the people and government of Pakistan for their warm hospitality during his visit to Pakistan.
The two dignitaries attended a ceremony to exchange memorandums of understanding in the fields of media, culture and education.
The Prime Minister also hosted a banquet in his honor and in honor of the delegation accompanying him.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar, Minister for Climate Change Dr Musaddiq Malik and senior government officials were also part of the delegation.
Earlier, King Abdullah II of Jordan was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari upon his arrival in Pakistan on Saturday for a two-day state visit.
It was the first official visit by a Jordanian monarch in 21 years.
As the king’s plane entered Pakistani airspace, a formation of Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder aircraft provided a protective escort and accompanied the royal flight to Islamabad.
President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received the king at Nur Khan Air Base. First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, members of the federal cabinet and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were also present on the occasion.
Expressing his views on the occasion, President Zardari said that King Abdullah II’s visit would give Pakistan-Jordan relations a new strategic dimension. He added that the ties between the two countries are based on historical fraternity, mutual trust and shared values.
The King then arrived at the Prime Minister’s House, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly received Jordan’s King Abdullah II in a dignified reception at the Prime Minister’s House.
A well-organized contingent of armed forces presented a guard of honor to the visiting dignitary.
The king inspected the guard of honor. The national anthems of both countries were also played on the occasion.
The king was introduced to members of the federal cabinet, while the prime minister was introduced to the Jordanian delegation.
The King of Jordan planted a sapling on the premises of the Prime Minister’s House.
The latest visit of the Jordanian monarch to Pakistan took place at the invitation of former President Mamnoon Hussain.
Memorandums of Understanding
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and King Abdullah II attended a ceremony to exchange MoUs and agreements in the fields of media, culture and education.
The four documents included a cultural cooperation programme, a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of chairs of Urdu and Pakistani studies at the University of Jordan and two agreements between the Pakistan Television Corporation, the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation.
On the Pakistani side, the MoUs were exchanged between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Federal Ministers Attaullah Tarar and Dr Musadik Malik.
From Jordan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi exchanged the documents.
