Wellington: The 5th round of Pakistan-New Zealand Political Consultations and the 3rd round of Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meetings were convened in Wellington, marking an important step in expanding the bilateral engagement between Pakistan and New Zealand.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Political Consultations were co-chaired by Pakistan's Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia Pacific) Ambassador Dr. Syed Ali Asad Gillani and Deputy Secretary of the Americas and Asia Group at New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Grahame Morton. The discussions included a thorough review of bilateral relations, focusing on areas such as high-level exchanges, economic development, science and technology, education, counterterrorism, transnational crime, and people-to-people ties.
Ambassador Gillani briefed New Zealand officials on Pakistan's initiatives to reduce tensions in the Middle East and provided updates on the regional situation in South Asia, particularly in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and issues concerning India's adherence to the Indus Waters Treaty. Deputy Secretary Morton recognized Pakistan's positive role in the Middle East peace process.
The Joint Trade Committee meeting centered on enhancing bilateral trade and investment, with a focus on sectors like agriculture, livestock, information technology, education, and services. Discussions included strategies for improving market access and cooperation in sustainable agriculture, as well as exploring technical collaboration in wool production and plant protection. Institutional mechanisms to strengthen economic cooperation were also on the agenda.
A significant outcome of these meetings was the signing of the Education Cooperation Arrangement between Pakistan and New Zealand, aimed at strengthening collaboration in the education sector.
