Call on the PM by the High Commissioner of Australia
Islamabad :- Ambassador Tim Kane, the newly appointed High Commissioner of Australia, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary were also present.
Prime Minister felicitated the High Commissioner on his appointment and expressed confidence that his tenure would further strengthen the long-standing and friendly relations between Pakistan and Australia.
The Prime Minister conveyed deepest condolences over the tragic loss of innocent lives in the terrorist shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, on 14 December, and said that Pakistan unequivocally condemned this cowardly act of terrorism. While reaffirming Pakistan’s solidarity with Australia in its hour of grief, the Prime Minister emphasized that terrorism had no religion and it must be condemned in all forms and manifestations, while collective action was required to eradicate this menace.
While welcoming the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Australia relations, the Prime Minister underscored the need for expanding bilateral trade and investment, and highlighted the agriculture and livestock sector as a promising area for enhanced cooperation. He also welcomed Australian interest in the mining & minerals sector, citing Reko-Diq as a shining example of the enormous potential of this sector in Pakistan. He also lauded the valuable contribution of the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Australia, which served as a vital bridge between the two nations.
The Prime Minister noted that both Pakistan and Australia, enjoyed strong people-to-people linkages, and cultural ties, underpinned by their shared passion for cricket.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed his warm regards and greetings for the Australian leadership, and said that he looked forward to working with them to build stronger ties between the two countries.
Ambassador Tim Kane thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcome and expressed Australia’s keen desire to work towards further enhancing Pakistan–Australia relations, across all areas of mutual interest.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
