TRIPOLI, May 18: Pakistan and Libya have agreed to activate a joint economic commission to give a new fillip to their economic and commercial ties, said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday.
Talking to journalists at the end of his two-day visit to Libya, Mr Aziz described his talks with the Libyan leadership very productive and constructive.
He expressed the confidence his visit would further strengthen the multi-faceted bilateral ties, deeply rooted in common history, culture and religion, and open up new avenues of cooperation between the two countries in economic, political, defence and diplomatic fields.
Mr Aziz said he held detailed discussion with the Libyan leaders on regional and international matters and the two countries enjoyed unanimity of views on important issues.
He said ministers accompanying him also held separate talks with their counterparts to further promote cooperation in trade, investment, railways and other areas.
Responding to a question, the prime minister said reforms in Libya would bring about further progress and prosperity to the country.
He noted that there was a room for improvement in Libya’s tourism sector and there were a lot of opportunities for foreign investment in the country.
Mr Aziz said a Pakistani company was constructing a five-star hotel in Tripoli.
Replying to a question, he welcomed resumption of diplomatic relations between the United States and Libya and said it would contribute to opening up of new avenues of development in Libya.
Answering another question, he said Pakistan supported better ties between Libya and African countries and was ready to extend any cooperation in this respect.
On Pakistan-India relations, Prime Minister Aziz said the two countries were engaged in a composite dialogue process to resolve outstanding issues, including that of Kashmir. He noted improvement in ties between the two countries but emphasized that a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people was must for durable peace in South Asia.
He expressed concern over human rights violations in the Indian occupied Kashmir.
When asked about Iran’s nuclear programme, the prime minister said Pakistan believed that every country had a right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes under appropriate international safeguards. Pakistan remained opposed to nuclear weapons proliferation by any country, Mr Aziz said and stressed that the Iran issue should be resolved through dialogue and negotiations.
He reiterated Pakistan’s opposition to use of force to settle the row, saying it would only exacerbate an already unstable regional situation.
Replying to a query, he said there had never been any arms smuggling from Pakistan to Afghanistan. In fact, he added, arms and ammunition were smuggled from Afghanistan to Pakistan.
The prime minister, answering another question, said Pakistan and Egypt enjoyed close cordial relations and Islamabad greatly valued its relations with that country.
He later left Tripoli for Morocco on the third leg of his four-nation tour.—APP
