Portugal’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Paulo Domingues, called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif here on Monday.
Matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations, trade, investment and cooperation in agriculture, livestock, tourism and other sectors were discussed during the meeting.
Welcoming the ambassador, the chief minister thanked him for visiting Lahore and expressed Punjab’s commitment to strengthening ties with Portugal.
She invited Portuguese companies to explore business and investment opportunities in Punjab, saying there was vast potential for collaboration in the pharmaceutical sector, energy, water resources, healthcare and digital innovation.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen Pakistan-Portugal bilateral relations and discussed a proposal to establish a Pakistan-Portugal Business Forum to promote commercial cooperation. They also held detailed discussions on developing sister-city relations between Lahore and Lisbon to enhance cultural and educational exchanges, while emphasizing the need to expand cooperation in tourism and other areas of mutual interest.
CM Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan and Portugal enjoyed longstanding friendly relations with ample room for further expansion through institutional cooperation. She noted that promoting Portuguese culture, heritage, language and academic exchanges would help strengthen people-to-people contacts. Referring to football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, she remarked that a large number of young Pakistanis were his admirers.
Ambassador Paulo Domingues praised Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States and acknowledged the country’s efforts to promote lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. He also lauded the Punjab government’s initiatives in the health sector, particularly the establishment of the province’s first government cancer hospital, and invited Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to visit Portugal.
The ambassador assured the chief minister that Portuguese authorities would continue to facilitate Pakistani investors and businessmen seeking business opportunities in Portugal. app
Separately, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has paid glowing tribute to the martyrs of the Kashmiri freedom movement, and called on the international community to ensure the implementation of the United Nations resolutions guaranteeing the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
In her message on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, the CM reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for
people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The CM honoured the sacrifices of all Kashmiri martyrs, particularly the 22 Kashmiris who embraced martyrdom on July 13, 1931, saying their blood had become an enduring symbol of the struggle for freedom and justice. She urged the global community to play an effective role in securing the legitimate rights of the Kashmiri people in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions, adding that the unparalleled sacrifices of the Kashmir martyrs constituted one of the brightest chapters in the history of the freedom movement.
CM Maryam Nawaz said the courageous people of IIOJK had kept the flame of freedom alive through their sacrifices, and that spirit continued to inspire the resilience and determination of the Kashmiri people despite decades of oppression.
The chief minister expressed confidence that the priceless sacrifices of the people of IIOJK would never go in vain, adding that the day was not far when the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir would witness the dawn of freedom. app
Moreover, Maryam Nawaz expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. In her condolence message on Monday, the CM extended heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family. She prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the departed soul eternal peace and bless the bereaved family with patience and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.