Daily Times

Sir: It is good to note that Pakistan and Jordan have agreed to enhance bilateral trade and investment. Currently, trade between the two countries is worth a rather meagre $75 million. There is a lot of untapped potential here.

According to the reports in the media, this commendable agreement was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of Jordan at the PM House in Islamabad the other day after the Jordanian premier arrived on a two day visit to Pakistan.

King Abdullah held delegation level talks with PM Abbasi during which the two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and exchanged views on how to further expand these relations in a variety of fields. Abdullah and Abbasi also reviewed the regional security situation with particular focus on the Middle East in the aftermath of US President Trump’s attempt to have Jerusalem recognised as the capital of Israel.

On the occasion, PM Abbasi quite rightly and emphatically expressed Pakistan’s unequivocal support for the just cause of Palestine and reiterated Islamabad’s rejection of Washington’s vulgar decision, besides briefing the visiting dignitary on the current situation along the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan’s determined and result-oriented counter terrorism efforts and its commitment towards regional peace and security.

It is worth mentioning here that King Abdullah has visited Pakistan after eleven long years. His visit is a reflection of the close brotherly relations between Jordan and Pakistan. He was given an appropriately lavish welcome on arrival and was received by Prime Minister Abbasi. Despite the visit of the Hashemite King being short, it will certainly go a long way in promoting existing brotherly relations and enhancing trade and investment to a desirable level between the two countries.

ASMAAR BILAL

Lahore

Published in Daily Times, February 10^th 2018.