PM Kakar, Kuwait crown prince agree to deepen bilateral ties
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar met Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al Jaber Al Sabah on Wednesday and the two sides agreed to deepen the bilateral relationship between the countries.
In a post on X after the meeting concluded, Kakar said, “We’ve fortified our brotherly ties, signing seven agreements and three MoUs in key sectors. This heralds a new era in Pakistan-Kuwait economic ties. Looking forward to hosting Kuwaiti representatives soon.”
Kakar had arrived at Kuwait’s Bayan Palace earlier today to hold talks with the country’s top leadership. The premier — who recently wrapped up his trip to the United Arab Emirates — had landed in Kuwait last night to cement ties with the Gulf state.
Now, the premier will head to Dubai to participate in COP-28.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said that during the meeting with the crown prince Kakar had reaffirmed the importance Pakistan had attached to its relationship with Kuwait and reiterated the desire to further expand bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
“He underscored the resolve to forge deeper economic engagement between Pakistan and Kuwait, including in trade, energy, information technology, labour, mineral and investments,” the statement said.
PM Kakar also expressed satisfaction at the close cooperation between the two countries at multilateral fora, the statement said. “He appreciated the measures undertaken by Kuwait for the recruitment of Pakistani manpower in the fields of health, security and infrastructure,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Kuwait crown prince reciprocated the sentiments of the prime minister and “reiterated the desire of Kuwaiti leadership to further deepen and broaden bilateral relations with Pakistan”.
Agreements inked
Separately, PM Kakar and Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad also witnessed the inking of seven agreements to attract “multi-billion dollars investment” from the Middle Eastern state in various sectors, according to PTV.
These sectors included food security and agriculture, hydel power, water supplies for safe drinking water and supporting mining activities, establishment of a mining fund to support the mineral industry, development of technology zones and mangrove preservation. Three MoUs in the fields of environment, sustainable development and culture and art were also signed.
The leaders expressed “great satisfaction” at the trajectory of relations, agreed to remain in close contact and take swift steps in further strengthening and deepening Pakistan-Kuwait relations.
PM Kakar termed the agreements “another milestone” in the achievements which the Special Investment Facilitation Council platform was bringing to the country.
He also prayed for the health of Kuwait Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, who was earlier admitted to a hospital due to an emergency health problem but his condition was reported to be stable, according to the state news agency Kuna.
Kakar presented guard of honour
Earlier today, the first deputy prime minister had received PM Kakar upon his arrival at the Bayan Palace.
On the occasion, the prime minister was presented with a guard of honour and the national anthems of both countries were played.
According to the PMO, the premier is accompanied by caretaker finance minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar, energy minister Muhammad Ali, commerce counterpart Gohar Ejaz and law minister Ahmad Irfan Aslam. Interim Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi is also part of the delegation.
COAS Munir meets Kuwait crown prince
On Tuesday, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir met the Kuwait crown prince during an official visit to the Gulf state, Kuwaiti news agency Kuna reported.
The army chief was accompanied by a delegation comprising interim Law Minister Ahmad Irfan Aslam, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait Malik Mohammad Farooq and other officials.
It added that 2023 marked the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Kuwait.
The prime minister arrived in Kuwait on a two-day visit on Tuesday after wrapping up his trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Upon his arrival, Kuwait’s Minister for Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr Jassim Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ostad received the caretaker premier.
Earlier, PM Kakar and COAS Munir visited the UAE where MoUs pertaining to investment cooperation were signed that would unlock “multi-billion dollars” in funding from the Mideast state.