Pakistan for enhanced cooperation with France, says Zubair

The French consul-general in Karachi, Francois Dall’Orso, hosted a reception at his residence on Friday evening to celebrate Bastille Day, the national day of France.

Mohammad Zubair, the governor of Sindh, was the chief guest. In his speech, he said that the Pakistan government was looking forward to enhanced cooperation with the induction into office of the Macron government.

The overall situation as regards law and order had improved in Karachi and that this was an ideal opportunity for us to bring Karachi back as the hub of the economic and commercial activity, he said, adding that heightened cooperation with French companies would help realise that goal.

Zubair recalled his days at Paris when he was resident there while working for the international computer giant, IBM, and recalled his happy memories of France.

Earlier, the French consul-general in Karachi, Francois Dall’Orso, said that France’s interest in Pakistan’s development could be gauged from the fact that France had given 20 million dollars to Pakistan for boosting the education and cultural sector.

He also pointed out the role France was playing through institutions like the Alliance Francais, especially the teaching of French.

He said that France had been keen to enhance the presence of French companies in Pakistan.

To that end, he said, a team of the French Business Council had visited Pakistan towards the end of April. After Islamabad, he said, they visited Karachi and were impressed by the improved civic situation and the dynamism of the Pakistani business community.