Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday proposed for signing a Memorandum of Understan-ding between Pakistan and Kenya for enhanced co-operation in the field of defence. Talking to General Jeremiah Mutinda Kiang, Kenyan Chief of General Staff who called on him at the PM House, the Prime Minister said the MoU would help to share experiences and as well as increase possibilities of training more Kenyan military officers in the defence institutions of Pakistan.
The prime minister said Pakistan is at present in the middle of war against terrorism for which the armed forces and security personnel had made great sacrifices. The armed and security forces of both the countries, he added, could benefit from each other's experiences in counter terrorism and security related matters, including intelligence sharing.
The prime minister said the Pak-Kenyan close friendly bilateral relations also demand that the trade between the two countries should increase to its full potential. He appreciated the gesture by the Kenyan government to reduce duty on the import of Pakistani Basmati rice.
General Jeremiah Mutinda Kiang'a appreciated the Prime Minister's proposal for signing an MoU to enhance co-operation in the field of defence and assured that he would take up the matter with his government to finalise the MoU. He greatly appreciated Pakistan's contributions in UN Peace Keeping Missions in many States of Africa and lauded their professionalism in dealing with the situations.
He evaluated his present visit to Pakistan as very useful in the interest of both countries. He thanked Pakistan's Government for extending the facility of preparing Readable Passports and I D Cards by Nadra for the Kenyan citizens. Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Secretary Defence and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.-PR