Amb. Neil Hawkins, the outgoing High Commissioner of Australia to Pakistan, paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, this morning.
The Prime Minister congratulated the High Commissioner on the successful completion of his tenure in Pakistan and thanked him for his positive contribution towards the strengthening of Pakistan-Australia relations.
The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan desired stronger ties with Australia, particularly in the field of agriculture, livestock and the export of high-quality meat. In this regard, he requested the High Commissioner’s assistance in providing Australian expertise to Pakistan. On economic reform, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the progress made during the last eighteen months in which deep-rooted structural economic reforms had been undertaken. These reforms would continue in the coming months so as to ensure consolidation of the economic gains, he added.
Highlighting Pakistan’s friendly and cordial ties with Australia, the Prime Minister also appreciated Australia’s constructive role in global peace efforts, particularly in the Middle East.
The High Commissioner thanked the Prime Minister for receiving him and conveyed his deep appreciation for the warmth and cooperation that he had received from Pakistan’s people and government, throughout his stay. He congratulated the Prime Minister for Pakistan’s rising diplomatic profile and its efforts for peace in South Asia, the Middle East and around the world. He also lauded the Prime Minister’s efforts that had resulted in Pakistan’s economic stabilization and had put the country on the road to economic recovery.
