Business Recorder

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday said that Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Iraq and the Netherlands, and was keen to expand ties with both the countries in all fields, including economic, culture and education.

He was talking to the outgoing Ambassador of Iraq Dr Ali Al-Rahmani and Ambassador-designate to Netherlands Shujjat Ali Rathore, who called on him separately here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The President emphasized that resumption of air links with Iraq was a priority for Pakistan, which would benefit the people of both countries. It would bring the people of two countries closer and also give them an opportunity to have better understanding of each other, he added.

He underlined that Pakistan desired to enhance cooperation with Iraq in several sectors, including trade, education and culture. He highlighted that Iraq and Baghdad had extraordinary importance in the Islamic History as besides Madina, Baghdad was the other city where Muslims used to travel for education.

The President underscored that Pakistan was making all possible efforts to eradicate extremism from the region and had also made historic achievements in that regard.

He stated that Pakistan and Iraq were connected through great historical and religious links, which further deepened the relations between the two countries. He called for increasing exchange of trade delegations to further strengthen the people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

While appreciating the interest of Iraq in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the President said that the project would be a game changer for the entire region. The outgoing ambassador apprised the President that Iraq was very much interested in CPEC and planned to work in several projects related to energy.

While talking to the Ambassador-designate Shujjat Ali Rathore, the President said that Pakistan had historical trade links with the Netherlands which further strengthened the their relations. He stressed that the relations could be expanded further by attracting Dutch investors' to invest in Pakistan.