Pakistani Ambassador to Kuwait Dr. Zafar Iqbal, joined by fellow ambassadors, during the launch of Pakistan Fruit Week at Assima Mall on Saturday.
KUWAIT CITY, July 25: Pakistani Ambassador to Kuwait Dr. Zafar Iqbal said his country has overcome the restrictions resulting from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by establishing alternative routes for transporting goods to Kuwait, thus ensuring the continuous flow of goods.
In a statement to the press on the sidelines of the launch of the Pakistan Fruit Week at the Assima Mall on Saturday, Iqbal disclosed that shipments reached Kuwait through Saudi Arabia during the airspace closure, and direct shipping between Pakistan and Kuwait has already resumed normal operations. Iqbal affirmed that the Pakistani government is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tension and bring all parties back to the negotiating table, expressing his optimism about the possibility of progress in this regard. He pointed out that positive indicators on the resumption of American- Iranian negotiations emerged recently, stating that the US President also spoke about the possibility of resuming negotiations. He stressed that military escalation will not be limited to one country, as it will have serious repercussions for the entire region, which compels Pakistan to continue its diplomatic efforts to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
He added that the Pakistani Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Field Marshal are leading continuous efforts to de-escalate tension, while maintaining constant communication with the Kuwaiti leaders. He emphasized that the defense cooperation between Kuwait and Pakistan, which began in the 1980s, is strong and mature. He also confirmed the ongoing military training programs, exchange of expertise, and technical cooperation between the two countries in various areas of mutual interest.
He revealed that bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $1.5 billion this year, adding that more than $1 billion of this figure relates to the oil sector, which Pakistan imports from Kuwait, while Kuwaiti non-oil exports are witnessing huge growth. He affirmed that his country will always stand by Kuwait, especially in times of hardship. He added that the Pakistan Fruit Week is dedicated entirely to Pakistani fruit, showcasing six or seven of the finest varieties of Pakistani mangoes, which are considered among the best in the world.
