Egypt gives top priority to bilateral ties with Pakistan, says Envoy
Naveed Ahmed Khan
Islamabad: Federal Minister for Industries & Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain said that Africa with its resources and potentials is a great attraction of investments. He said similarly Pakistan with its strategic position, skilled labour and vast potentials has huge business opportunities. He added that in recent years, Egypt has witnessed economic development and reforms attracting investments and enhancing connectivity with Africa. He expressed his views while exclusively talking to Daily The Spokesman on the occasion of 72nd National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The Egypt embassy in Pakistan on Tuesday celebrated the 72nd National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt, marking the anniversary of the 1952 revolution that reshaped not only Egypt’s history but also influenced the Arab World and the Middle East.
Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain was the chief guest while the event was attended by the Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan, H. E. Atadjan Movlamov, Dean of African Corps and Ambassador of Kingdom of Morocco to Pakistan, Mohamed Karmoune, Chairman of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Raja ZafarulHaq, PPP Senator Sehar Kamran, Custodian of the Eidgah Sharif, Pir Naqeeb-ur-Rehman,Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, AllamaTahir Mahmood Ashrafi, Ambassadors, diplomats, members of civil society, academia and a large number of the Egyptian nationals.
Earlier, Rana Tanveer Hussain congratulated the Egyptian people on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan on their National Day. He also highlighted the deep-rooted relations and bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
Addressing the event, Egypt’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Ihab Abdelhamid highlighted Egypt’s resilience in the past 72 years, navigating through regional challenges while steadfastly pursuing its path of political, economic, and social development.
He emphasized Egypt’s current ambitious developmental and economic reform program, which has transformed the country through extensive modernization of infrastructure and numerous mega-projects.
“Egypt is undergoing a significant transformation with vast infrastructure projects underway across the country,” stated Ambassador Abdelhamid. These projects include the enhancement of transportation networks, expansion of power generation capacity, development of the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and the establishment of a new administrative capital.
Highlighting the enduring ties between Egypt and Pakistan, Ambassador Abdelhamid recalled Egypt’s early recognition of Pakistan’s independence in 1947 and the subsequent establishment of diplomatic relations in 1948.
He underscored the stable and cooperative nature of Egyptian-Pakistani relations, emphasizing mutual support on international issues and joint efforts in multilateral forums.
“The strengthening of bilateral relations with Pakistan remains a cornerstone of Egypt’s foreign policy,” Ambassador Abdelhamid affirmed, expressing determination to enhance cooperation across diverse sectors such as trade, tourism, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and industry.
He expressed that the shared cultural and religious bonds between the peoples of Egypt and Pakistan, underpinned by a unified vision on South-South cooperation, counter terrorism efforts, and advocacy for the rights of oppressed peoples.
At the end of his speech, Ambassador Abdelhamid highlighted the immense potential for further investment and collaboration between Egypt and Pakistan, leveraging their sizable markets and robust industrial sectors.
A documentary ‘Egypt: Land of Civilization’ was also screened on the occasion showing fusion of the ancient and the modern and evolution of Egypt from Pharaoh’s state to a modern republic.
Egypt is earning millions of dollars by facilitating tourists who arrive every year to visit its pyramids. Pakistan too can facilitate the Buddhsit tourists’ visits to the country’s ancient sites, they said. They welcomed the recently-held International Gandhara Symposium and held that if proper steps like security, facilitation centres, food, stay and transport, etc were taken, Pakistan could attract hundreds and thousands of tourists to Buddhist sites every year. Participants enjoyed Egyptian and Pakistani cuisines made under the supervision of Pathmanathann Balagangdaram,Executive Chef, Serena hotel,Islamabad.