Ambassadors of China, Afghanistan, Indonesia and the High Commissioners of Bangladesh and Maldives on Tuesday presented their credentials to President Dr Arif Alvi during a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

President Alvi congratulated the newly-appointed envoys and expressed the hope that bilateral relations of their respective countries with Pakistan would expand in the areas of economy, culture, trade and investment.

Ambassador of China Nong Rong, Ambassador of Afghanistan Najibullah Alikhil, Ambassador of Indonesia Adam Mulawarman Tugio, High Commissioner of Bangladesh Ruhul Alam Siddique and High Commissioner of Maldives Farzana Zahir presented their credentials to the president. Later, the envoys made separate calls on the president.

Talking to the ambassadors/high commissioners, the president said that Pakistan wanted to further strengthen and enhance economic, trade and political relations with friendly countries. He briefed the envoys about the steps taken by Pakistan to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. He said that the pandemic was the greatest challenge and the global community needed to make collective efforts to contain the disease.

President Alvi also highlighted the gross human rights violations being committed by the Indian security forces against the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He said India had converted the entire valley into world’s largest open-air prison and urged upon the international community to take note of atrocities being perpetrated by the Indian security forces against Muslims and other minority groups.