President Asif Ali Zardari and Libyan Leader Moammar Al Qaddafi on Friday expressed their resolve to further strengthen their multifaceted ties and agreed on adopting practical measures for boosting economic co-operation between the two countries.
President Asif Ali Zardari, who is on his first official visit to Libya, held detailed discussions with Moammar Qadaffi, hours after his arrival to the north-African country. The talks late in the night covered a broad spectrum of issues including ways to boost trade, initiate jjoint ventures and investment beside covering regional and issues of mutual interest.
The two leaders reviewed the Pak-Libya relationship and agreed on continuing mutual co-operation in diverse fields besides exploring avenues for increased two-way trade, collaboration to explore energy resources and exchange of skilled manpower for the benefit of their peoples. The two leaders after exclusive in-depth discussions were later joined by members of their respective delegations.
President Zardari in his talks with Moammar Qaddafi said there was vast scope for investment between the two countries in several areas including infrastructure development, railways, housing, oil and gas besides export of skilled and unskilled manpower in information technology, engineering, telecom and medicine.
The Libyan leader said the two countries could launch an ambitious and gigantic programme of economic co-operation, to bring the two countries further close. He also sought assistance from Pakistan on sharing expertise for improvement of banking sector and training facilities for students, teachers and experts in different areas.
President Zardari also briefed the Libyan leader about Pakistan's efforts to curb terrorism and extremism and the role it was playing in maintaining peace and harmony in the region. The two leaders also talked about the security situation in the region, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Palestine issue.
Zardari mentioned that Pakistan's relations with Libya were rooted in deep historic, religious and cultural bonds, and stressed the need for further strengthening these for the benefit of two peoples. He said Pakistan offered a great potential of investment in diverse sectors and called upon the Libyan government to enhance the level of trade.
He said the purpose of his visit to Libya was part of the government's initiative to strengthen relations with brotherly countries and explore fresh avenues of bilateral co-operation particularly in economic and trade sectors. Qaddafi said his government would ensure close co-operation with Pakistan in all sectors.
He also expressed concern over the challenges being faced by the Muslim Ummah, and stressed for an enhanced role by Organisation of Islamic Conference in this regard. President Zardari conveyed to the Libyan leader appreciation by Pakistan government and its people for the generous assistance and rehabilitation efforts extended to the earthquake victims in Pakistan.
He also mentioned the services of Saif Al Eslam M Al Qaddafi, President of Qaddafi Development Foundation who was awarded Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam in recognition of his commendable service for timely assistance to the earthquake victims. President Zardari's delegation includes Ministers for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira, Defence Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Religious Affairs Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Labour Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Defence Production Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi, Advisers on Petroleum Dr Asim Hussain and Adviser on Finance Shaukat Tareen.
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