By Khawaja Nayyer

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Sudanese Interior Minister Lieutenant General Babiker Samra Mustafa Ali during his visit to Pakistan.

Pakistan attaches great importance to its longstanding and brotherly relations with Sudan, the Prime Minister said.

“We want Sudan to overcome its current crisis and emerge as a peaceful, stable and prosperous country,” he said.

Pakistan is keen to further strengthen bilateral relations with Sudan, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, the Prime Minister said.

He noted that there are vast opportunities for bilateral cooperation in agriculture, defence, education and other sectors.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan highly values Sudan’s cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the G-77 and other international platforms.

The Sudanese Interior Minister thanked the Prime Minister and the Government of Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his visit.

He also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the humanitarian and medical assistance provided by the Government and people of Pakistan to Sudan during its difficult circumstances.

The Sudanese minister appreciated Pakistan’s support for peace and stability efforts in Sudan at international forums.

He also praised Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and its role in mediation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and senior government officials also attended the meeting.