Pakistan and Oman agree to boost trade and energy cooperation

Pakistan and Oman have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across several key sectors, including trade, investment, energy, agriculture, and human resources. Following the eighth meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission in Islamabad, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamood Al-Busaidi announced plans to establish joint working groups to promote economic ties and create new employment opportunities for skilled Pakistani professionals.

The two nations also discussed regional security, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb strait. During the press conference, Ishaq Dar condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, noting that the incidents resulted in casualties among Pakistani nationals, and reaffirmed Pakistan's solidarity with the Saudi leadership. Both officials stressed the importance of diplomacy, dialogue, and restraint to prevent regional escalation and maintain stability.