ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday called on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi in Cairo and discussed with the latter Pakistan’s shifting emphasis from geo-politics to geo-economics.

The foreign minister, who is on an official visit to Egypt, said his visit indicated Pakistan’s keenness to reinvigorate traditional bilateral relationship, rooted in shared faith, culture and values with the African country.

Mr Qureshi conveyed warm greetings of Pakistan’s leadership to the Egyptian president, the Foreign Office said in a statement issued here.

He appreciated the stability and progress achieved by Egypt under President Sisi’s able leadership.

The minister stressed that the vision of ‘Naya Pakistan’ was predicated on economic connectivity and ensuring peace within and beyond “our borders”.

He said that Pakistan would always look to be a partner in peace and progress. Recalling the decades-old warm ties between the two countries, Mr Qureshi expressed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen and diversify relations.

He briefed the Egyptian president on various opportunities to strengthen mutual ties in bilateral and multilateral areas.

Expressing satisfaction at the growing defence ties, the foreign minister said the two countries could also share their experience in countering terrorism and extremism.

President Sisi reciprocated the warm feelings of the Pakistani leadership and recalled his recent interactions with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The Egyptian president expressed the hope that Mr Qureshi’s visit would pave the way for enhanced bilateral ties and dynamic multilateral cooperation.

The foreign minister handed over to President Sisi, President Arif Alvi’s invitation to visit Pakistan, which the former accepted.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2021