ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Wednesday that Pakistan was building a “multidimensional relationship” with Oman.

In a TV interview during his three-day visit to Muscat, he hinted at the possibility of Prime Minister Imran Khan visiting Oman in near future.

Mr Qureshi’s visit to Oman is the first by a Pakistani foreign minister in nine years.

Omani foreign minister accepts invitation to visit Pakistan

He acknowledged that there was a “lull in the relationship” and when he met his Omani counterpart Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York it was agreed that the ties would be rekindled. It was in pursuance of that decision that the meeting of the joint ministerial commission of the two countries is being held for which Mr Qureshi is currently visiting Oman.

Mr Qureshi opened his trip with a meeting with Mr Alawi.

Talking to Mr Qureshi, Foreign Minister Alawi said: “We view Pakistan as an asset. Pakistanis made outstanding contributions to development and progress of Oman since the early 50s and continued to stand shoulder to shoulder with Oman whereas both countries’ common history and geography binds them into a natural ‘Strategic Partnership’. Time is right to maximise our mutual potential for our and larger good of region.”

Both sides expressed satisfaction over the trajectory of bilateral relations symbolised by exchanges of visits between parliamentary, political and defence leaderships and ever growing people’sexchanges.

Both dignitaries stressed the importance of connectivity between Gwadar and Duqm ports and early conclusion of accords on mutual cooperation, the Foreign Office said in a statement, adding that it was reaffirmed to broaden the horizon of interaction among technical experts through joint working groups on trade, investment, food security and energy, whereas Pak-Oman Investment Company was readily considering diversification.

Mr Qureshi invited Mr Alawi to visit Pakistan. The invitation was accepted and it was further agreed that the two countries would hold foreign secretary-level bilateral political consultations in Islamabad this year.

Mr Qureshi also met Minister for Royal Office Gen Namani.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2019