Ambassador Dr. Jemal pays farewell call on Pakistan’s First Lady to reaffirm Ethio–Pakistan friendship
H.E. Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula, Special Envoy and Ambassador Extraordinary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, paid a farewell call on H.E. Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, the First Lady of Pakistan, at the President House in Islamabad on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Ambassador Dr. Jemal expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the First Lady for her support and contribution toward strengthening bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Pakistan during his tenure as Ethiopia’s first resident ambassador in Islamabad. He described Pakistan as a trusted partner and friend in the evolving global landscape and emphasized his commitment to laying a strong foundation for lasting cooperation between the two countries.
The Ambassador briefed the First Lady on Ethiopia’s comprehensive political, economic, social, and legal reforms spearheaded by Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, noting that these reforms are driving sustainable development and modernization across the country.
Highlighting Ethiopia’s strategic importance, Dr. Jemal said the country serves as a gateway to Africa, offering vast trade and investment opportunities for Pakistani businesses.
He also discussed Ethiopia’s flagship Green Legacy Initiative, launched by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, which aims to promote large-scale afforestation, food security, job creation, and soil conservation through the plantation of more than 48 billion seedlings across Ethiopia. The Ambassador invited the First Lady to visit Ethiopia and explore joint initiatives with the First Lady of Ethiopia, particularly in areas supporting women, children, and environmental sustainability.
The First Lady, H.E. Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, commended Ambassador Dr. Jemal for his outstanding efforts in promoting friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Ethiopia. Recalling the visit of her grandfather, former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, to Ethiopia, she emphasized that the relationship between the two nations is rooted in mutual respect, solidarity, and shared history dating back to the time of King Nejashi.
She noted that Pakistan is among the ten most climate-stressed countries and shared details of large-scale reconstruction and plantation projects being carried out in her constituency for flood-affected communities. The First Lady stressed the importance of collaboration between Pakistan and Ethiopia in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and early warning systems, aligning Pakistan’s Green Pakistan Initiative with Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative.
Congratulating Ethiopia on its full membership in BRICS, the First Lady reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, and climate action. She also praised the growing economic linkages between the two nations, including the Bilateral Trade Agreement, the upcoming Single Country Exhibition in Addis Ababa, and the resumption of direct flights between Karachi and Addis Ababa through Ethiopian Airlines, which is enhancing business and people-to-people connectivity.
Wishing Dr. Jemal success in his future endeavors, H.E. Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari expressed hope that the Ethio–Pakistan partnership will continue to grow in the years ahead.
Honorable Senator Sherry Rehman was also present during the meeting.