Pakistani senators arrive on official visit

Times News Service

MUSCAT: A delegation from the Senate of Pakistan and the ‘Oman-Pakistan Friendship Committee’ was welcomed to the Sultanate by officials from the State Council and the Pakistani Ambassador to Oman.

State Council members Majid Al Rawahi, Mohamed Al Rawas and Mahfoodh Al Wahaibi were joined by Ambassador Ali Javed in welcoming Senators Kabeer Ahmed Shahi and Ashok Kumar Ratnani at Muscat International Airport.

The two senators represent the Pakistani side of the committee.

The delegation’s visit will last until 21 March 2019 and comes within the framework of the ‘Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Cooperation between the Upper Houses’ signed in Muscat on 19 November 2018.

Ambassador Javed said the visit was a perfect opportunity to enhance bilateral ties between the two brotherly states and would coincide with the ‘Pakistan Day’ celebrations that will be held across Oman.

Highlighting the background of the delegation, Javed stated, “Wheras Senator Shahi represents Balochistan, which many people in Oman are connected to, Senator Kumar hails from ‘Kalaat’ whose Prince (Nawab of Kalaat) gifted Gwadar to the Sultan of Oman in 1783, creating a blood-bond between both nations which lasted for 175 years.”

During their time in Oman, the senators will convene the inaugural meeting of the committee. They are also scheduled to meet Dr. Ahmed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, Yahya bin Saud Al Jabri, Chairman of the Pakistan-Oman Investment Company, as well as Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousuf, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.