Daily Times

President Dr Arif Alvi Tuesday said the isolation of Muslims by the Indian government was a matter of grave concern and it was the responsibility of the world to hold India accountable for the repressive actions against minority groups.

He said that India was increasingly becoming intolerant towards Muslims, which were being persecuted and targeted persistently.

The President was talking to the outgoing Ambassador of Indonesia Iwan Suyudhie Amri who paid a farewell call on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, says a press release.

The President said that Pakistan highly valued its ties with Indonesia and wanted to further expand bilateral relations in areas of trade, economy and defence.

He thanked the government of Indonesia for ably steering the discussion in the UN Security Council on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

President Alvi also appreciated the contributions made by the outgoing ambassador towards improving the bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries.

The ambassador said that both countries enjoyed excellent relations in various fields.

Both sides emphasized the need to further expand bilateral relations in the fields of defence and trade. The ambassador also appreciated Pakistan’s role in successfully managing COVID-19 pandemic.

President Dr Arif Alvi also stressed the need for development of Industrial Biotechnology which has the potential to enhance our exports as well as generate employment opportunities in the country. He said that it was essential to focus on the development of Biotechnology Herbal Medicine Park which would contribute towards the socio-economic development of the country. He expressed these views while chairing a meeting on Jhelum Biotechnology Park, at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain briefed the President about the importance and role of the Biotechnology Herbal Medicine Park in the economic development of the country. The President appreciated the initiative of Ministry of Science and Technology and underscored the need to align Research & Development (R&D) projects with socio-economic needs of the country. The meeting was also attended by Minister for Forest Department, Punjab, Mr. Muhammad Sibtain Khan, Special Secretary Housing, Punjab, Mr. Muhammad Shafiq Ahmed, Member Science of Planning Commission, Dr. Syed Hussain Abidi, Executive Director COMSATS Headquarter, Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi and Rector COMSATS University Prof. Dr. Muhmmad Tabbasam Afzal.