ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has termed stability and progress in Egypt “vital” for peace in the Middle East, Pakistani state media reported on Friday.
The statement came after Asif’s meeting with Egyptian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Ihab Abdelhamid Hassan in Islamabad, at which they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries.
Pakistan and Egypt have cordial ties and both countries have resolved in recent years to enhance bilateral trade by facilitating businessmen with visas, exchanging trade-related information and promoting private-sector contacts.
During the meeting, Asif said relations between the two countries had a “great potential to grow” in all fields, including defense production, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Egypt’s stability and progress is vital for peace and prosperity in the Middle Eastern region,” he was quoted as saying.
Friendly ties between Pakistan and Egypt can be traced back to 1947, when the former gained independence and its founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, visited Egypt on the special invitation of King Fuad II.
In August this year, Pakistan and Egypt unveiled a commemorative stamp to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In July, Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Ambassador Hassan agreed to enhance cooperation between the two countries in religious education and other areas of mutual interest.

ISLAMABAD: Indian Force Commander at the United Nations (UN) mission in South Sudan, Lt. Gen. S Mohan, has commended the efforts of Pakistan’s peacekeeping contingent in saving hundreds of thousands of Sudanese people stranded in floods last month, the Pakistani military said on Thursday.
Severe flooding that resulted from torrential rains overwhelmed the Arbaat Dam and led to the destruction of nearly two dozen villages and caused at least 30 confirmed deaths in Sudan last month, Reuters reported.
Pakistani peacekeepers, who have been performing duties for peace and security in South Sudan, undertook daunting engineering tasks in a complex environment and ensured the protection of civilians, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
The Indian general acknowledged their professionalism in a letter written to Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, in which Lt Gen Mohan commended the “dedication and unwavering commitment” of Pakistani peacekeepers in Sudan.
“Pakistani blue helmets have undertaken daunting engineers’ tasks in complex and challenging operational environment to ensure protection of civilians, which has always remained top priority for Pakistani peacekeepers,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“Pakistani contingent worked day and night and protected over 250,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in worst flood affected areas.”
The complex and contentious relationship between Pakistan and India has been marred by territorial and other disputes, with the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir being the most significant of them. Ties between the two neighbors remain suspended since Aug. 2019, when New Delhi revoked semi-autonomous status of part of Kashmir it controls.
The ISPR said the Indian general specially acknowledged Pakistan’s Brig. Shafqat Iqbal and Lt. Col. Shahbaz Aslam for their role in saving the lives of Sudanese people, which served as a “testament” to Pakistan Army’s reputation in international peacekeeping efforts.
“Pakistan remains committed to play a pivotal role as a responsible member of the international community to help realize the ideals of global peace and security through active support in UN Peacekeeping Missions,” it added.