ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Thursday said that Pakistan was keen to further strengthen its relations with all friendly and brotherly countries.
He was talking to the envoys-designate of Nigeria, Switzerland, UAE, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Egypt, who separately called on him after presenting their credentials to him during a ceremony held here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The president emphasised that Pakistan strictly followed the principle of peaceful coexistence and was a responsible member of the international community. He further stated that Pakistan was the biggest victim of terrorism and extremism and had rendered great sacrifices in the fight against this menace which were being recognised by the international community.
Mamnoon reiterated that the operation against the miscreants would continue till the elimination of the last terrorist.
He also stated that the country was making headway in all fields including the economy. He pointed out that the pragmatic and well-planned strategy devised by the present government had brought back the economy on the right track.
The president further stated that several mega projects in the fields of energy and infrastructure were in the development stage which would further produce a salutary impact on the economy after their completion. He also underscored that the liberal investment policies adopted by the government offered vast opportunities to the foreign investors due to which Pakistan was now one of the most sought-after destination for investment in South Asia.
The president felicitated the newly appointed envoys to Pakistan and wished them a comfortable and pleasant stay. He hoped that all the envoys-designate would work for advancing the bilateral relations of their respective countries with Pakistan especially in the field of trade and investment.
Earlier, each envoy-designate arrived at the main gate of the Aiwan-e-Sadr in a horse-driven carriage. National anthems of Pakistan and their respective countries were played on the occasion and the envoys-designate were also presented a Guard of Honour.
The envoys who presented their credentials included High Commissioner-designate of Nigeria Maj Gen (retd) Ashimiyu Adebayo Olaniyi, Ambassador-designate of Switzerland Thomas Kolly, Ambassador-designate of UAE Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, Ambassador-designate of Bosnia and Herzegovina Brig Gen (retd) Sakib Foric and Ambassador-designate of Egypt Ahmed Fadel Yakoub.