Pakistan condemns terrorism in all forms: Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has said Monday that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and vehemently opposes atrocities and destruction carried out by the terrorist organisations in Syria and elsewhere.
Talking to Air Marshal (Retd) Athar Hussain Bukhari, Ambassador-designate to Syrian Arab Republic, who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president said that Pakistan’s stance on the situation in Syria was based on the principles of international law and the UN Charter, consistently calling for protection of the sovereignty of Syria, cessation of hostilities and violence by all sides. He observed that Pakistan’s relations with Syria were multi-faceted, deep rooted and based on shared culture, religion and history. He underscored that Pakistan always sought friendly and enhanced relations in all fields with Syria for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries. He congratulated the ambassador designate on his appointment and wished him success in his assignment.
Later in another meeting with Nadeem Riyaz, ambassador-designate to Italy, the president has said that Pakistan regards Italy as a friend and partner and deeply values its relations with the country both bilaterally and in the EU context.
President noted that Italy was Pakistan’s third largest trading partner in Europe and among the top ten globally adding that immense potential existed for further expansion of bilateral trade. He stressed that Italian entrepreneurs should be encouraged to explore opportunities available in the alternative and renewable energy sector of Pakistan since Italian expertise in wind, solar and hydro electricity projects offers great scope for mutual cooperation. He emphasised that Pakistan would like to see Italian companies investing in various sectors of its economy including energy, agriculture and infrastructure. He underlined the need for regular exchange of business and parliamentary delegations to further strengthen bilateral relations. He said that there was a great scope for enhanced collaboration in the fields of education and culture between the two countries.
He noted that Pakistani community in Italy acted as an additional link to augment bilateral relations and asked the ambassador-designate to maintain close liaison with the Pakistani diaspora and solve their problems. He hoped that during the tenure of ambassador-designate bilateral relations between the two countries would further grow. He congratulated Nadeem Riyaz on his appointment as ambassador-designate to Italy and wished him success in discharge of his responsibilities.