Islamabad: Pakistan and Jordan have pledged to strengthen humanitarian and development cooperation during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and King Abdullah II of Jordan in Islamabad. The leaders emphasized the importance of bolstering bilateral relations and fostering greater people-to-people contact.
According to Radio Pakistan, King Abdullah II was warmly received by President Zardari at the Awan-e-Sadr, marking the start of his state visit to Pakistan. The discussions reaffirmed the longstanding and fraternal ties between the two nations, covering a full range of bilateral relations and reviewing regional and international developments of mutual concern, with a particular focus on peace, stability, and security in the Middle East.
Both leaders highlighted the significance of collaboration in multilateral forums to promote humanitarian and development cooperation. On the issue of Palestine, they shared converging views and reiterated their commitment to a Two-State solution. They stressed the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine on pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. They also rejected any displacement of Palestinians.
King Abdullah II expressed pride in the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and Pakistan and emphasized Jordan’s eagerness to expand cooperation across various sectors. The leaders expressed confidence in the future of Pakistan-Jordan relations and agreed to maintain close coordination on bilateral, regional, and global issues.
The Jordanian delegation included Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, Chief Advisor for Religious and Cultural Affairs and Personal Envoy, Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, and Major General Yousef Huneiti, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Pakistani representatives included First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Senator Sherry Rehman, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Malik.
A special investiture ceremony followed the meeting, during which President Zardari conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan on King Abdullah II. In return, King Abdullah II awarded President Zardari the Wisam al-Nahdah al-Mursa’ (Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al Nahdah), an honor bestowed upon Heads of State and distinguished dignitaries.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf, cabinet ministers, and members of the diplomatic corps. A state banquet in honor of the visiting dignitary concluded the day’s events at Aiwan-e-Sadr.