Doha, Qatar – Pakistan reiterated its commitment to strengthening ties with Somalia as Additional Foreign Secretary Hamid Asghar represented the country at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Somalia, held in Doha and hosted by the State of Qatar.
On the sidelines of the high-level meeting, Additional Foreign Secretary Hamid Asghar held a productive bilateral meeting with Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali. The discussions focused on deepening cooperation in a wide range of areas, including defense, trade, healthcare, and capacity building.
Both sides agreed to enhance collaboration through:
- Specialized training programs in various fields;
- Naval capacity building initiatives;
- Launching direct shipping routes between Karachi and Mogadishu to boost trade and connectivity;
- Defence cooperation for mutual benefit;
- Facilitation of medical visas and the supply of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products to Somalia.
During the meeting, the Somali Foreign Minister expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s continued support and conveyed his acceptance of an invitation to visit Pakistan, extended earlier by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
The engagement reflects Pakistan’s active diplomacy and enduring commitment to African nations under its “Engage Africa Policy,” aiming to foster stronger bilateral and multilateral partnerships across the continent.
BY: The Times Union
