Ambassador of Egypt to Pakistan H. E Tarek Dahrough called on Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Senator Shibli Faraz on Wednesday. He discussed with the Minister matters relating to cooperation in the fields of media, culture and tourism besides expressing strong desire for enhancing bilateral trade. Both sides agreed on joint ventures to produce and broadcast/exhibit on reciprocal basis, TV Plays, feature films and documentaries promoting religious and cultural traditions that both brotherly Muslim countries share in common. Ambassador H. E Tarek Dahrough emphasized on signing of MoU to facilitate such ventures. Egyptian Envoy apprised the Minister about plans for launching of Egypt Air flight between Karachi and Cairo. The Minister welcomed the plan saying it would contribute tremendously towards enhancing people to people contacts as well as facilitate flow of tourists and businessmen. The Minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan had a desire to develop the tourism sector, and Pakistan would like to learn from Egypt’s expertise in this sphere. He said both countries had beautiful tourism sites and they should encourage and facilitate the people to visit and see these attractions. The air travel facilities he said would definitely promote tourism linkages.
The Ambassador also on the occasion informed the Minister about Al-Azhar Educational Institute which would be established in Islamabad. He said the Egyptian side had undertaken all formalities on its part and provision of a suitable building from the Pakistan side was awaited.
The Minister, keeping in view “Look Africa” policy of the Government expressed commitment for efforts to increase bilateral trade with Egypt and active role of Commercial Section in Embassy of Pakistan, Cairo. It may be recalled that the Minister while heading Senate Standing Committee on Commerce in 2015 had also advocated for trade engagement with Africa. Ambassador H. E Tarek Dahrough agreed on enhanced interaction between representatives of trade and business community and appreciated the work of the Commercial Counsellor in Pakistan Embassy, Cairo. Minister Faraz on the occasion also highlighted the issue of Kashmir and Islamophobia. He emphasized on the cooperation of OIC Members on issues relating to Kashmir and rising Islamophobia. The Prime Minister of Pakistan through his UN speeches and resolutions always raised these issues on international forums. The Ambassador expressed support on the issues of Kashmir and Islamophobia. He added that no religion or its followers should be ridiculed in the name of freedom of expression.
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