ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said that Pakistan and Oman were natural allies due to geographical proximity and the leadership.
“Government and the people of Pakistan hold His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al-Said and the brotherly people of Oman in high esteem,” the prime minister said in a meeting with the Omani delegation led by President of State Council of Oman Dr. Yahya Mahfoodh Salim Al-Manthri at the PM House in Islamabad.
The Omani delegation comprised of Member of the Education and Research Committee Sheikh Hamed Muhammad Abdallah Bahwan Al Mukhaini, Member of the Culture Media and Tourism Committee Muhammad Ahmed Ali Al Rawas, Member of the Economic Committee Dr. Ahmed Sulaiman Saleh Al-Maimani, Deputy Chairman of the Social Committee Wafa Salim Ali Al Harrasi and Member of the Social Committee Dr. Aisha Ahmed Yousuf Al Washahi.
Likewise, Chairman Senate of Pakistan Mian Raza Rabbani, Senator Taj Haider and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.
The prime minister said that Pakistan was grateful to Oman for its support in connection with Pakistan- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan would welcome our Omani brothers to invest in Pakistan, particularly in energy related projects, infrastructure development and consumer based industry as current investment policy of Pakistan has created an investment friendly environment by all sectors for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), guaranteeing equal treatment of foreign and domestic investments, protecting foreign investment with high rates of dividends.
The prime minister also appreciated the proposal to start a ferry service between Karachi, Gawadar and Muscat.
“This initiative will start a new chapter of friendship between both countries and the service will provide an affordable alternative source of movement for a large number of people who move on these routes on regular basis,” the prime minister said.
While commenting on the people-to-people contacts, the prime minister said that Oman was hosting a sizeable Pakistani diaspora working in various sectors and Pakistan could further provide both un-skilled and highly professional manpower in various fields including medicine, engineering, information technology, accountancy, education and technical workers.
Moreover, he prime minister said that both Pakistan and Oman could benefit immensely through mutual exchange of experts in the field of education, science & technology.
The prime minister conveyed earnest prayers and sincere wishes from the People and government of Pakistan to His Majesty King Qaboos and brotherly people of Oman.
