ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said Pakistan and Morocco enjoy fraternal ties, based on common faith, shared values, and mutual respect, which need to be further strengthened for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
He made these remarks during a meeting with the Ambassador of Morocco, Mohamed Karmoune, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr here on Tuesday.
Zardari said Pakistan was committed to further enhancing bilateral cooperation with Morocco in diverse fields.
He expressed gratitude to Morocco for its support to Pakistan during the 2022 floods, noting that such gestures reflect the depth of friendship between the two nations. The President emphasised that Pakistan attaches great importance to its economic relations with Morocco and highlighted the vast potential for expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.
“Africa is poised to achieve significant economic growth in the coming years, and Morocco — with its remarkable economic development — is well-placed to lead this transformation and contribute to regional prosperity,” he added.
Reaffirming that Pakistan and Morocco enjoy close and brotherly ties, Zardari expressed his best wishes for the continued health of King Mohammed VI.
He also asked the ambassador to convey the goodwill and warm regards of the people of Pakistan to the King and the people of Morocco.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday and briefed him on the ministry’s initiatives to safeguard minority rights, promote religious tolerance, and strengthen interfaith harmony.
During the meeting, Zardari emphasised the need to further enhance efforts for the promotion and protection of minority rights, describing minorities as an integral part of Pakistan’s social and national fabric.
He stressed that concrete measures should be taken to recover minority worship places under unlawful occupation and return them to their rightful custodians.
The President also commended the ministry for its role in protecting minority rights and for organising the National Minorities Day celebrations in a befitting manner.
Sardar Yousaf informed Zardari that in FY 2024–25, under the Minorities Welfare Fund, Rs60 million in scholarships were awarded to 2,236 students from minority communities, besides financial assistance was provided to 1,231 needy individuals, and Rs45 million was allocated for the repair and furnishing of 32 minority worship places.
He said the ministry also approved a national policy on interfaith harmony, celebrated major minority festivals at the official level, and organised interfaith conferences in various cities.
The minister highlighted that the Evacuee Trust Property Board continues to maintain sacred sites of Sikh and Hindu communities, providing free facilities to devotees for events such as Baisakhi, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and ceremonies at Katas Raj and Sadhu Bela.
Other measures of the ministry include holding consultations with religious scholars to curb hate speech, launching awareness campaigns, and making coordination with provincial and federal bodies, he added.
The minister thanked Zardari for his support and keen interest in resolving the issues of minorities and promoting their rights.