MUSCAT – Pakistan and Oman on Monday vowed to move towards a more robust relationship with closer collaboration in the industrial, agricultural, health and education sectors for a brighter future of their peoples.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani met Sultan Qaboos bin Sa`id at his official retreat, and discussed the situation in the region, the challenges being faced by Pakistan at the hands of the extremists and the measures the government was taking to address its economic and security challenges.
The two leaders had an extensive discussion on bilateral issues, situation in the region and ways to explore new avenues of cooperation, during their an hour-and-a-half-long meeting at the Bait al Baraka Palace , overlooking the Gulf of Oman.
The prime minister’s delegation includes Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Ghauri, Minister of State for Ports and Shipping Nabil Gabol and Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani.
Sultan Qaboos is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and known as a founder of the modern Oman, which has undergone a massive political and economic transformation under his rule since 1970. Gilani noted that the bilateral trade between the two countries was around $286 million in 2009 and there was a wide scope for expanding it manifolds.
The two leaders also discussed enhanced defence cooperation between their armed forces, joint exercises, training and exchange of defence elegations. Sultan Qaboos praised Pakistan’s achievements against extremists and terrorists, saying the time had come for the implementation of a world strategy to combat terrorism.
He said it was important that regional states got united and made necessary arrangements for security and stability through dialogue, mutual trust and balance of power. Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan and Oman were working for a strategic partnership to bring progress, prosperity and peace in the region.
He said the countries were bound by a common history, shared values, faith, traditions and commonality of interests, adding that Oman’s success was Pakistan’s success as it took pride in the achievements of the sultanate.
Gilani praised the tremendous progress achieved by Oman under the sagacious and visionary leadership of Sultan Qaboos, while the sultan appreciated the role of Pakistani expatriates in Oman’s progress and prosperity.
