The government of Jordan has sent a special plane carrying relief goods to Pakistan for the assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Ambassador of Jordan, Dr Saleh Al-Jawarneh, said here on Monday. The ambassador said the relief goods included bed sheets, mosquito nets, medicines, dry food, clothes and other daily use items.
Pakistan and Jordan are brotherly countries and its people enjoy good friendly relations. He was addressing a seminar titled "Pak-Jordan Friendship" organised by Tahrik-e-Akhuwat-e-Islami (TAI) in connection with National Day of Jordan. He said both the countries enjoy good relations and many projects are being executed in Pakistan with the help of Jordan. He said that 35,000 Pakistanis are working in Jordan, who are playing important role in boosting agriculture and textile sectors.
He also thanked participants of the Jordan National Day function, and specially President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, who sent their representatives. He lauded the efforts of Allama Inayat Ali Shakir for the promotion of interfaith harmony in the country.
The Jordanian envoy said that some anti-state elements have launched a nefarious campaign to malign Pakistan as well as the religion of Islam. Dr Saleh said that Pakistan is safe place for investment, adding, business community of both the countries are fully convinced to invest in Jordan and Pakistan.
The Ambassador informed that in connection with the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries, a meeting would be held in the next month and the agreement hopefully would be finalised by the end of this year. The main purpose of the agreement is to improve the economic sector of both countries.
Chairman TAI Allama Inayat Ali Shakir said that Pakistan and Jordan being Muslim countries, have lasting relations with each other. He appreciated the efforts of King Abdullah of Jordan for the promotion of interfaith harmony in the world. Shakir said suicide attacks are un-Islamic and no religion could allow to take lives of innocent people by carrying out such activities.
He said a handful miscreants are trying to defame the name of religion and the country, but they would not succeed in their nefarious designs. Shakir said Islam gives the message of peace, tolerance, love, harmony and prosperity. Chairman Islamic Idealogy Council Dr Khalid Masood said both countries have historical, cultural, and religious relations. He said that free trade link is good for both the countries and "we expect for the extension of this agreement."
Dr Khalid Masood said there are a number of Holy Shrines in Jordan and majority of the Pakistanis visit such places on regular basis. Senator Saleem Saifullah said that Jordan is the second homeland for Pakistanis, adding, so many other things are identical between the two countries.