ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari called for stronger ties with Ireland and stressed the need to expand cooperation in trade and investment, as well as in sustainable development, climate change, critical and emerging technologies, education, culture, and tourism.
Ambassador Mariam Madiha Aftab, Ambassador-designate of Pakistan to Ireland, called on President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The president congratulated her on her appointment and expressed confidence that she would work to strengthen Pakistan–Ireland relations, with a focus on building a strong economic partnership. He urged efforts to attract Irish investment in Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones and information technology sector.
Referring to Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the European Union from July to December next year, the president emphasised the importance of enhancing high-level and parliamentary exchanges. He recalled the visit of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto to Ireland in 1994 and a recent visit by a Senate delegation. Highlighting the Pakistani diaspora in Ireland, the president called for closer engagement to strengthen people-to-people ties and project Pakistan’s positive image through cultural diplomacy and media outreach.
In another meeting, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan, Sharifzoda Yusuf Tohir called on President Asif Ali Zardari. The president reaffirmed the strong and wide-ranging relationship between Pakistan and Tajikistan.
President Asif Ali Zardari noted that Pakistan was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Tajikistan in 1992 and said that bilateral cooperation has steadily expanded in trade, economic engagement, defence, and security. The president stated that regular high-level exchanges reflect the close and brotherly ties between the two countries. He added that the Strategic Partnership Agreement provides a solid framework for deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Describing Tajikistan as a bridge to Central Asia, the president underscored the importance of improving regional connectivity and encouraged efforts towards the revival of direct flights, as well as enhanced road and rail links. The president highlighted the potential for increased bilateral trade and investment, particularly in the energy sector. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the timely completion of the CASA-1000 project.
He also stressed the importance of expanding cultural cooperation to strengthen people-to-people contacts. In this context, he welcomed the idea of jointly celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal in 2027, noting that Iqbal and his work are widely admired in Tajikistan.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari emphasised the importance of dialogue, consensus and inclusive governance in addressing regional issues and strengthening democratic institutions. A PPP delegation from Gilgit-Baltistan, led by former Chairman Senate and Secretary General Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians Syed Nayyar Bokhari, called on president at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The delegation briefed the president on political and developmental issues of Gilgit-Baltistan.
In yet another development, President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath of office of the Federal Tax Ombudsman to Zafar ul Haq Hijazi.
Zafar ul Haq Hijazi is a Chartered Accountant and a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, with more than four decades of experience in taxation, corporate and capital market regulation, audit oversight, financial management, and advisory services. He has previously served as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and Chairman of the Audit Oversight Board of Pakistan.
Following the oath-taking, Zafar ul Haq Hijazi called on President Asif Ali Zardari. During the meeting, the president underlined the importance of raising public awareness about the role of the Federal Tax Ombudsman in facilitating taxpayers. He advised the Ombudsman to make effective use of modern technology to improve the timely disposal of complaints. The president stressed that the office of the Federal Tax Ombudsman must ensure speedy and cost-free relief for aggrieved citizens and continue to expand its outreach across the country.
