Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan Paulo Miguel Guedes Domingues called on Acting Governor of Sindh Syed Awais Qadir Shah at the Provincial Assembly of Sindh on Monday.
The meeting focused on bilateral relations between Pakistan and Portugal, parliamentary cooperation, trade, investment, tourism, cultural exchanges, and opportunities for collaboration in various sectors.
The meeting was also attended by Mr. David Arcao, Political Officer of Portugal; Mr. Amin Fakir, Designated Honorary Consul General in Karachi; Secretary of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh G.M. Umar Farooq; and Director General Media Irfan Ahmed Memon.
Welcoming the Portuguese Ambassador, Acting Governor of Sindh Syed Awais Qadir Shah described Karachi as Pakistan’s economic hub and a city renowned for its cultural diversity.
He invited the Ambassador to visit other cities of Sindh, particularly Sukkur, and highlighted the province’s historical heritage, cultural diversity, tourist attractions, and economic potential.
Acting Governor Syed Awais Qadir Shah highlighted Sindh’s historical landmarks, agricultural resources, and natural beauty, stating that visits to different parts of the province would provide an opportunity to better understand the cultural and economic potential of Pakistan and Sindh. He also assured the Ambassador of all possible cooperation and facilitation during his visits to the province.
During the meeting, the contributions of Sindh Government in the healthcare sector were also discussed, including the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), GIMS, and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD).
The Portuguese Ambassador informed the Acting Governor that Portuguese artists would participate in the World Culture Festival in Karachi, with the support of the Sindh Culture Department. He identified renewable energy, agriculture, maritime affairs, and the development sector as important potential areas of cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting also explored opportunities to enhance trade and investment between Pakistan and Portugal.
Amin Fakir, Designated Honorary Consul General in Karachi, highlighted opportunities to increase Pakistani exports, particularly in basmati rice, fruits, information technology services, and leather products.
The Portuguese Ambassador emphasised the importance of further strengthening people-to-people contacts between the two countries and appreciated the role of the Pakistani community living in Portugal.
The Portuguese Ambassador, also described the visit of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari to Portugal last year as an important development in strengthening bilateral relations.
Cooperation through sports, particularly football, was also discussed during the meeting. The Portuguese Ambassador expressed interest in sports diplomacy, where he informed regarding the launching of Pakistan’s first FC Porto Dragon Force Football Academy in Sialkot and also appreciated Lyari’s strong football culture and the talent of its players.
Acting Governor of Sindh Syed Awais Qadir Shah proposed the establishment of a Parliamentary Friendship Group between the Parliament of Portugal and the Provincial Assembly of Sindh to strengthen institutional ties, facilitate the exchange of legislative experiences, and promote cooperation among parliamentarians.
He assured the Portuguese Ambassador that all possible facilities would be extended to promote cooperation and strengthen engagement with the Portuguese diplomatic mission in Sindh. Both sides expressed their commitment to further strengthening the friendly relations between Pakistan and Portugal and exploring new avenues of cooperation across various sectors.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Acting Governor of Sindh Syed Awais Qadir Shah presented the Portuguese Ambassador with a commemorative shield, books on the history of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh and the province of Sindh, along with a traditional Sindhi cap and Ajrak, a communique said.
The Acting Governor also accompanied the visiting delegation on a tour of the historic building of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, where he briefed them on the Assembly’s history, parliamentary traditions, and historical heritage.