On June 7th, the Embassy of Portugal in Pakistan, in partnership with the Sanober Institute, hosted a seminar titled “PAKISTAN AND PORTUGAL RELATIONS — Past Experiences, Vision for the Future” at the Serena Hotel Islamabad.
The seminar, moderated by the Executive Director of the Sanober Institute, featured distinguished speakers including Ambassador of Portugal Frederico Silva, Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhary (Chairman of Sanober Institute), Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan (Additional Secretary for Europe), five former Pakistan Ambassadors to Portugal, Khurram Dastgir (former Federal Minister), Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi, Raja Amer Iqbal (former President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry), and others.
The focus was on reflecting on past experiences and exploring future opportunities for Pakistan-Portugal relations. Ambassador Silva underscored the seminar’s goal to gather insights and recommendations for enhancing bilateral ties.
This seminar coincided with Portugal’s national day and Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhary thanked the Portuguese team for fostering a positive image of Pakistan-Portugal relations.
Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan highlighted Portugal’s role as a trusted partner of Pakistan and acknowledged its contributions to Pakistan’s GSP Plus status in the EU market.
Panelists advocated for increased cultural, economic, and people-to-people exchanges, with suggestions including expanding trade in textiles, fruits, vegetables, and renewable energy technologies. They also stressed the importance of cultural exchanges, art exhibitions, and collaborations in the IT sector.
Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi emphasized the necessity for bilateral discussions and cooperation on various issues, particularly in textiles and tiles. Khurram Dastgir stressed the importance of cultural exchanges and proactive diplomacy.
Ambassadors Frederico Silva and Aizaz Chaudhary concluded the seminar by emphasizing the need for action, continued dialogue, and focused sessions to enhance Pakistan-Portugal relations. They highlighted Portugal’s expertise in renewable energy systems and the potential for future collaboration in this area.
