Islamabad — Four newly designated envoys presented their diplomatic credentials to President Asif Ali Zardari at a formal ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Those presenting their credentials included Mr. Tarik Ali Khan, High Commissioner-designate of Canada; Mr. Abdulaziz Issa, Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Lebanon; Mr. Robert-Jan Siegert, Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; and Mr. David Pine, Non-Resident High Commissioner-designate of New Zealand (based in Colombo).
Upon arrival at the Presidency, the envoys were accorded a Guard of Honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Armed Forces.
Welcoming the newly accredited envoys, President Zardari congratulated them on their appointments and expressed confidence that their tenures would contribute to further strengthening Pakistan’s bilateral relations with their respective countries.
The President highlighted the longstanding and cordial relations between Pakistan and Canada, underscoring the potential for enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, information technology, energy, and mineral development. He also emphasized the importance of people-to-people linkages, appreciating the constructive role of the Pakistani diaspora in Canada in fostering goodwill and mutual understanding.
In his meeting with the Ambassador of Lebanon, the President reaffirmed Pakistan’s deep solidarity with the Government and people of Lebanon, strongly condemning Israel’s aggression against civilians. He reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while calling for strengthened collaboration in trade, security, and counter-terrorism efforts.
During his interaction with the Ambassador of the Netherlands, the President emphasized the importance of deepening economic, agricultural, educational, and investment partnerships. He appreciated the Netherlands’ cooperation with Pakistan in areas such as water management, climate resilience, and sustainable development, and invited greater Dutch investment to support Pakistan’s economic growth.
In his conversation with the Non-Resident High Commissioner of New Zealand, the President underscored the shared Commonwealth heritage and democratic values that bind the two nations. He highlighted the potential for expanded cooperation in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and clean energy, and expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s support of Pakistan’s initiatives at the multilateral level.
President Zardari extended his best wishes to all four envoys for a successful and productive tenure, expressing hope that their efforts would lead to stronger bilateral and multilateral partnerships built on mutual respect and shared prosperity.
Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Nadeem Mandviwalla, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs were also present at the ceremony.
BY: The Times Union
