Seychelles welcomes new Pakistani high commissioner |12 October 2022

HC Jan presents his credentials to President Ramkalawan (Photo: Louis Toussaint)

• The two countries to expedite pending MoUs

The newly accredited Pakistani high commissioner to Seychelles, Muhammad Arshad Jan, has said that the two countries are keen to expedite pending memorandum of understanding in various areas of cooperation.

Mr Jan made the statement after presenting his credentials to the Seychelles’ Head of State, Wavel Ramkalawan, at State House yesterday morning.

He said signing these MoUs will allow the cooperation to go further.

These include an MoU in bilateral political consultation, which both sides have already agreed, according to Mr Jan.

“That is a mechanism between the two ministries of foreign affairs where we collaborate with each other on all regional bilateral and international agenda,” he said.

Seychelles and Pakistan also have a pending MoU in illegal drug trafficking and illicit substances which he said was in the final stage. Another area of cooperation is in health. The two countries signed an MoU in 2019.

“Under the agreement Pakistan will be providing health facilities and hospital management facilities to Seychelles very soon,” said High Commissioner Jan.

He added that the country also plans to send some of its doctors in ophthalmology and cardiology to Seychelles in the near future, to perform free surgeries on local patients.

The two sides are also working on an MoU related to the avoidance of double taxation.

High Commissioner Jan said “Pakistan is also very keen to engage with Seychelles under the Pakistan’s Engage Africa Policy” which promotes trade between the Asian country and its African counterparts.

“We would like to enhance our bilateral relations in political affairs and trade and people to people contact especially in media through you and the cultural aspects,” he further added.

During yesterday’s accreditation ceremony, Mr Jan also thanked the Seychelles government for allowing him to have the maximum number of meetings he has requested while in the country.

He also thanked President Ramkalawan for conveying his sympathies and solidarity with the people and government of Pakistan during the recent flood that swept over the country.

Seychelles and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1976.

Patsy Canaya