ISLAMABAD: The government has presented the country's highest civil award - Nishan-e-Pakistan - to the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Chairman Sefik Dzaferovic. The award was presented to him in recognition of his contribution for strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bosnia by President Dr Arif Alvi, during a welcome ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday.

Later, President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi also held a meeting with the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sefik Dzaferovic, at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The president stated that there was a need to translate the goodwill between the two countries into substantive cooperation. He added the chairman's visit would further strengthen and deepen the fraternal relations between Pakistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Both the leaders underlined the need for further expansion in the bilateral relationship in diverse areas including political, economic, cultural, defence, and people-to-people contacts. President Alvi apprised the chairman on the grave and systematic human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as well as the illegal and unilateral actions of Indian Government of 5 August 2019, which were against the UNSC resolutions, international law, and the 4th Geneva Convention. He added that India's belligerent attitude was a threat to regional peace and security.

The two leaders affirmed that both countries would continue to extend mutual support on issues of each other's core national interest. The two leaders also agreed that Pakistan and Bosnia Herzegovina must continue to work closely in areas of mutual interest.

In recognition of the chairman's services, the president conferred the Award of Nishan-e-Pakistan at a special investiture ceremony. The president later hosted a banquet in honour of the chairman and his entourage.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020