PICTURE: RADIO PAKISTAN
DOHA: Pakistan and Somalia have agreed to explore the launch of direct shipping services between Karachi and Mogadishu to boost bilateral trade and connectivity.
The development came during a meeting between Additional Foreign Secretary Hamid Asghar of Pakistan and Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali on the sidelines of the OIC Contact Group on Somalia, hosted by Qatar in Doha.
The two sides also discussed a wide range of cooperation areas, including enhanced training in various sectors, naval capacity building, defence collaboration, facilitation of medical visas, and the supply of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products.
Highlighting the growing momentum in bilateral ties, the Somali Foreign Minister conveyed his acceptance of an invitation to visit Pakistan, extended earlier by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
Pakistan’s participation in the OIC Contact Group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Somalia’s development and stability, in line with broader efforts within the Muslim world to strengthen cooperation with the Horn of Africa.
