Pakistan, Nepal agree to enhance cooperation in diverse areas

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Nepal have agreed to enhance cooperation in political, economic, defence and cultural fields.

This understanding reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and his Napalese counterpart Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli in Kathmandu on Monday.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi felicitated the prime minister of Nepal on the successful conclusion of the democratic process, resulting in the formation of a new government.

Shahid Abbasi also congratulated Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli on his election as new prime minister of Nepal.

Talking to Secretary General of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Amjad Hussain B Sial in Kathmandu, PM Shahid said SAARC required serious and sincere efforts by the member countries to explore its real potential.

Read More: India keeps a close eye as Pakistan’s PM Abbasi visits Nepal

He said Pakistan was committed to play a constructive role in SAARC. He emphasized that SAARC believed in sovereignty of its member nations and was beneficial in making way forward for peace, stability and progress in the region.

Amjad Hussain updated the prime minister on the recent activities of SAARC.

Earlier, the premier arrived in Nepal on a two day visit.

He was received by Nepalese Minister for Finance Yuba Raj Khatiwada upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.

Prime Minister of Nepal Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli greeted him at Army Pavilion, Tundikhel in Kathmandu .

National anthems of the two countries were played and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was presented a Guard of Honour at the welcome reception.

The prime minister will also call on the President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari. His visit will provide an opportunity to further expand and strengthen the bilateral relations across all areas of mutual interest including trade, education, tourism, defence and people-to-people contacts.

Ways of invigorating SAARC as an important regional organization will also be discussed. Nepal is an important regional country and Pakistan`s ties with Nepal are characterized by cordiality, mutual respect and commonality of interests. The two countries also support each other at bilateral and multilateral fora.