A PPP delegation from Gilgit-Baltistan, led by former Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Bokhari, on Tuesday, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The delegation briefed the president on political and developmental matters concerning Gilgit-Baltistan. The president emphasised the importance of dialogue, consensus and inclusive governance in addressing regional issues and strengthening democratic institutions.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Tuesday, administered the oath of office of the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) to Zafar ul Haq Hijazi at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
“Zafar ul Haq Hijazi is a Chartered Accountant and Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, with more than four decades of experience in taxation, corporate and capital market regulation, audit oversight, financial management and advisory services. He has previously served as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and Chairman of the Audit and Oversight Board of Pakistan,” President Secretariat Media Wing said in a press release.
Following the oath-taking, Hijazi called on the president.
During the meeting, President Zardari underlined the importance of raising public awareness about the role of the Federal Tax Ombudsman in facilitating taxpayers.
He advised the ombudsman to make effective use of modern technology to improve the timely disposal of complaints.
The president stressed that the office of the Federal Tax Ombudsman must ensure speedy and cost-free relief for aggrieved citizens and continue to expand its outreach across the country.
Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari, Tuesday, stressed the need to expand bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Ireland in trade and investment as well as in sustainable development, climate change, critical and emerging technologies, education, culture and tourism.
He expressed his views during a meeting with Ambassador Mariam Madiha Aftab, Ambassador-designate of Pakistan to Ireland, who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The president congratulated her on her appointment and expressed confidence that she would work to strengthen Pakistan-Ireland relations, with a focus on building a strong economic partnership.
He asked for efforts to attract Irish investment in Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones and information technology sector.
Referring to Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the European Union from July to December next year, the president emphasised the importance of enhancing high-level and parliamentary exchanges.
He recalled the visit of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to Ireland in 1994 and a recent visit by a Senate delegation.
Highlighting the Pakistani diaspora in Ireland, the president asked for closer engagement to strengthen people-to-people ties and project Pakistan’s positive image through cultural diplomacy and media outreach.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Tuesday, reaffirmed the strong and wide-ranging relationship between Pakistan and Tajikistan.
He noted that Pakistan was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Tajikistan in 1992 and said that bilateral cooperation had steadily expanded in trade, economic engagement, defence and security.
Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan Sharifzoda Yusuf Tohir, called on him the at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Secretariat Media Wing said in a press release.
President Zardari said that regular high-level exchanges reflected the close and brotherly ties between the two countries, adding the Strategic Partnership Agreement provided a solid framework for deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Describing Tajikistan as a bridge to Central Asia, the president underscored the importance of improving regional connectivity and encouraged efforts towards the revival of direct flights, as well as enhanced road and rail links.
The president highlighted the potential for increased bilateral trade and investment, particularly in the energy sector.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the timely completion of the CASA-1000 project.
He also stressed the importance of expanding cultural cooperation to strengthen people-to-people contacts. a
In this context, he welcomed the idea of jointly marking the 150th birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal in 2027, noting that Iqbal and his work were widely admired in Tajikistan.