Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Ethiopia’s envoy vow to deepen ties as Dr Jemal Beker bids farewell

By Our Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: .E. Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula, Special Envoy and Ambassador Extraordinary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Wednesday paid a farewell call on H.E. Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, First Lady of Pakistan at the President House in Islamabad.

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The Ambassador expressed his deep gratitude to the First Lady of Pakistan for strengthening bilateral relations during his tenure as Ethiopia’s first Ambassador to Pakistan. He said his focus had been on building lasting connections between the two nations, describing Pakistan as a strong partner in the evolving global landscape.
He briefed the Honorable First Lady about the comprehensive political, economic, social and legal reforms undertaken by Ethiopia under the leadership of Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
The Ambassador said Ethiopia is a gateway to Africa, offering extraordinary trade and investment opportunities for Pakistan.
He also briefed the Honorable First Lady on the Green Legacy Initiative of Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, highlighting its crucial role in enhancing afforestation and reforestation, ensuring food security and job creation and managing soil erosion through plantation of over 48 billion seedlings across Ethiopia.
The Ambassador invited the First Lady to visit Ethiopia and explore avenues of collaboration with the First Lady of Ethiopia, who has worked extensively for women, children, and environmental causes.
H.E. Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari appreciated the Ambassador’s contributions toward promoting friendship between Pakistan and Ethiopia and recalled the visit of her grandfather former Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
“It is now time to further strengthen these historic ties built on mutual respect and solidarity since the time of King Nejashi,” she added.
The First Lady noted that Pakistan was among the top ten environmentally stressed countries and shared that large-scale reconstruction and plantation activities were underway in her constituency for flood-affected communities.
She said Pakistan and Ethiopia could work together on climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and early warning systems under the Green Pakistan Initiative and Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative.
Congratulating Ethiopia on becoming a full member of BRICS, Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, and climate action.
She also appreciated the growing economic linkages between the two nations, including the conclusion of the Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Single Country Exhibition in Addis Ababa taking place later this year, and the resumption of direct flights between Karachi and Addis Ababa which is contributing to greater connectivity and people-to-people contacts.
The First Lady wished Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula success in his future endeavours and expressed hope that the partnership between the two countries would continue to grow.
The Honorable Senator Sherry Rehman was also present during the meeting.