ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will pay a two-day visit to Nepal from March 5 as part of Pakistan’s pro-active efforts to engage with regional countries, said a Foreign Office statement.

During his visit, the prime minister would convey felicitations to the Nepalese leadership on the successful conclusion of its democratic process, resulting in the formation of a new government.

According to the statement, he would congratulate the newly elected Prime Minister of Nepal Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli and would call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

The prime minister’s visit would provide an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations across all areas of mutual interest, including trade, education, tourism, defence and people-to-people contacts.

Besides, ways of invigorating the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation as an important regional organisation would also be discussed, it said. Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan Sewa Lamsal Adhikari had called on the prime minister on Friday and conveyed to him the message of welcome from the Nepalese leadership.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2018