ISLAMABAD: Four newly designated envoys presented their credentials to President Asif Ali Zardari at a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr today, marking a significant step in strengthening Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with their respective countries.
The envoys included Mr. Tarik Ali Khan, High Commissioner-designate of Canada; Mr. Abdulaziz Issa, Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Lebanon; Mr. Robert-Jan Siegert, Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; and Mr. David Pine, Non-Resident High Commissioner-designate of New Zealand, based in Colombo.
Upon their arrival at the Presidency, the envoys were greeted with a Guard of Honour presented by a contingent of the Pakistan Armed Forces.
President Zardari welcomed the envoys and congratulated them on their appointments. He expressed confidence that their tenures would foster stronger bilateral relations between Pakistan and their respective countries.
In discussions with Mr. Tarik Ali Khan, President Zardari emphasized the potential for enhanced economic, trade, and investment cooperation with Canada, particularly in the IT, energy, and minerals sectors. He also highlighted the role of the Pakistani diaspora in promoting goodwill between the two nations.
With the Lebanese Ambassador, Mr. Abdulaziz Issa, President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Lebanon. He condemned Israel’s actions against civilians and pledged continued support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, while stressing the importance of enhancing bilateral trade and security cooperation.
During the meeting with Mr. Robert-Jan Siegert, the Dutch Ambassador, President Zardari highlighted the need to strengthen ties, especially in trade, investment, agriculture, and education. He appreciated the Netherlands’ contributions to water management and climate resilience in Pakistan.
In his interaction with Mr. David Pine, the High Commissioner of New Zealand, President Zardari spoke about the shared Commonwealth heritage between the two countries. He pointed out opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and clean energy, and thanked New Zealand for supporting Pakistan’s multilateral initiatives.
The President extended his best wishes to all four envoys for a successful tenure, hoping their efforts would lead to stronger partnerships for mutual benefit.
The ceremony was also attended by Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Nadeem Mandviwalla, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.