Kuwait(National Times)- The situation in the Middle East came under discussion as Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday met Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who is on an official visit to the country.
According to the Foreign Office (FO), the two held a “warm and productive” tête-à-tête at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan–Kuwait bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the longstanding brotherly partnership,” it said.
“They also held in-depth discussions on regional and international developments, with particular focus on the evolving situation in the Middle East,” it added.
Later, the two leaders co-chaired delegation-level talks, the FO posted on X, adding that both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Kuwait bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, labour, agriculture, information technology, health, mining and minerals, defence and the broader economic partnership.
“They agreed to further institutionalise bilateral cooperation through enhanced institutional linkages and regular high-level exchanges,” the FO said.
It added that the two sides also “reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination and cooperation at multilateral forums on issues of mutual interest”.
According to the FO, the Kuwaiti FM thanked the government and people of Pakistan for the “warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to him and his delegation”.
“He also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Kuwait during the Covid-19 pandemic,” during which Pakistan had signed an agreement to send hundreds of medical workers to the Gulf country at its request.
The FO further said that DPM Dar reaffirmed “Pakistan’s deep commitment to its longstanding brotherly relations with Kuwait and underscored Pakistan’s desire to further expand the mutually beneficial partnership across all areas of cooperation”.
“The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest, including the situation in the Middle East and Palestine. The Kuwaiti foreign minister also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability,” it said.
The visiting dignitary arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday at the invitation of Deputy PM Dar. The FO said that upon arrival at the Islamabad International Airport, he was received by Zahid Hussain, additional secretary at the foreign ministry.
It added that the minister’s visit to Pakistan reflected the longstanding brotherly relations between the two countries, “anchored in shared history, mutual trust and close cooperation”.
Announcing the visit on Monday, the FO said Kuwait’s top diplomat was expected to pay a courtesy call on the leadership of Pakistan.
Pakistan has been negotiating an expanded defence pact with Kuwait in exchange for energy cooperation and investment, the Reuters news agency reported earlier this month, citing five sources with knowledge of the talks.
