Consulate launch strengthens Libyan-Pakistani cooperation
LIBYA – Abdulhadi Al-Hweij, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Libyan Government, and Pakistan’s ambassador to Libya, Mumtaz Hussain, on Friday oversaw the official inauguration of the Pakistani Consulate General in Benghazi. The ceremony was attended by the Pakistani consul accredited to the city, heads and representatives of diplomatic and consular missions, members of the Pakistani community, officials and directors of departments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Opening ceremony and raising of the two flags
The ceremony began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the Libyan and Pakistani national anthems and the raising of the two countries’ flags over the consulate building, marking its opening and the start of its consular work. It also included a ribbon-cutting and the unveiling of the official plaque, followed by a tour of the premises to view its facilities and equipment before the official speeches.
Historic ties dating back to the 1974 Lahore summit
In his speech, Al-Hweij congratulated the government and people of Pakistan on the opening of the consulate, describing it as an important milestone in bilateral relations and an embodiment of historic ties of friendship and cooperation. He recalled milestones in relations since the early years of Libya’s independence, including the Islamic Summit Conference hosted by Lahore in 1974, and the institutional cooperation and political, economic and technical consultation associated with that period.
Investment opportunities, consular services and vocational cooperation
Al-Hweij said the opening of the consulate would help strengthen diplomatic and consular contact, facilitate services for citizens and expand economic, trade and investment cooperation, particularly given the security, stability and reconstruction efforts in Benghazi, which he attributed to the efforts of the General Command of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces.
He called for developing cooperation in education, training and vocational qualification, and for organising the recruitment of Pakistani workers through official channels and under Libyan legislation, in a way that meets the needs of the labour market and safeguards the rights of all parties. He revealed that the step is part of a drive to strengthen the diplomatic and consular presence in Benghazi and will be followed by similar steps by other brotherly and friendly countries.
Handover of the premises key and facilities for the consulate’s work
The Pakistani ambassador praised the historic relations between the two countries, stressing the importance of the consulate in developing cooperation and institutional contact, providing services to the Pakistani community and expanding areas of partnership. During the ceremony, Al-Hweij handed the key to the consulate premises to the ambassador in a symbolic gesture marking the inauguration of the building.
At the close of the ceremony, Al-Hweij reiterated the ministry’s readiness to provide the facilities needed to enable the consulate to carry out its duties in accordance with national laws and international norms and agreements, stressing that relations would be developed on the basis of mutual respect, national sovereignty and common interests.
