ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has suggested starting a ferry service between Gwadar and Muscat to bring the two countries further closer.

He was talking to Chief of Staff Sultan Armed Forces Oman Vice Admiral Abdullah Bin Khamis Al Raisi, who called on him on him here on Monday.

Both sides underscored the need to further increase cooperation in the areas of trade, defence and culture.

The president said that Pakistan highly valued its ties with Oman as the two countries supported each other on various issues at international fora and were bound together by a common religion, history and cultural heritage.

He informed the delegation that Pakistan offered investment opportunities in various sectors of its economy, particularly in agriculture.

Oman armed forces chief calls on president, naval chief

He said cooperation in the agriculture sector was highly important for the food security needs of the two countries.

The president and Oman army chief lauded the leadership of Iran and the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman over normalisation of relations, terming it a significant development for the prosperity of the region. The two sides also stressed the need to increase high-level contacts to further cement bilateral ties.

The President also briefed the delegation about the grave human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He thanked the Sultanate of Oman for supporting Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir dispute.

During the meeting, Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al-Raisi highlighted that there was a lot of room for enhancing bilateral cooperation. He conveyed warm regards of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq bin Taimur to the president.

He also expressed his heartfelt condolences over yesterday’s train accident in which precious human lives were lost.

Oman Armed Forces chief Vice Admiral Abdullah Bin Khamis Al Raisi also called on Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Amjad Khan Niazi at Naval Headquarters.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest including bilateral collaboration and regional maritime security environment were discussed.

The naval chief highlighted Pakistan Navy’s initiatives to ensure maritime security and peace in the region through regional maritime security patrols. The visiting admiral acknowledged and lauded Pakistan Navy’s efforts and commitments in support of collaborative maritime security in the region.

Oman is a maritime neighbour of Pakistan and both countries have a common maritime boundary. The ships of both the countries routinely operate close to each other’s coasts and accordingly provide support to each other in terms of medical evacuations, cooperation in maritime law enforcement and logistics support.

Both the navies enjoy very close relations and are very forthcoming to support each other.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2023