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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Ethiopia are exploring private-sector partnerships at a “Made-in-Pakistan” exhibition in Addis Ababa, Pakistan’s commerce ministry said, with both sides aiming to boost trade and investment ties.

The statement was issued on the second day of the 5th Pakistan–Africa Trade Development Conference (PATDC) and Made-in-Pakistan Exhibition in Ethiopia’s capital, which was attended by Pakistani Commerce Minister Jam Kamal and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.

Pakistan and Ethiopia have enjoyed friendly relations since 1973, with growing economic and diplomatic ties. Under a bilateral agreement, Pakistan exports health care products, chemicals, machinery, sugar, rice and textiles to Ethiopia, while it imports pulses, red kidney beans, hides, tea and coffee.

Kamal and Youssouf toured the exhibition together and met many Pakistani exhibitors, commending their efforts to promote “South-South cooperation” and foster trade between the two countries.

“The day’s business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions attracted a larger turnout of buyers, importers, and investors from Ethiopia, Pakistan, and other African countries,” the Pakistan commerce ministry said in a statement.

“Discussions centered on manufacturing, agriculture, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and textile industries, leading to new commercial linkages and promising future collaborations.”

Youssouf emphasized that the Pakistan–Africa Trade Development Conference has become an effective model for inter-regional collaboration, aligning with the African Union’s vision to enhance trade integration, industrial partnerships, and inclusive economic growth across the continent.

“Through sustained dialogue and focused initiatives like PATDC, Pakistan is unlocking opportunities for partnership, innovation, and shared growth across Africa,” he was quoted as saying.

“Our objective is to build relationships that go beyond trade — anchored in trust, technology, and long-term development.”

On the occasion, Kamal said the event reflected Pakistan’s proactive global outreach strategy and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to deepening long-term partnerships with Africa.

The conference ended with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepen trade, investment and institutional cooperation across Africa.

ISLAMABAD: Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on Saturday said the recent defense pact between Pakistan and ����ֱ�� formalized their longstanding relations, describing it as a step toward peace in the Middle East and South Asia.

Pakistan and ����ֱ�� signed the defense pact in Riyadh on Sept. 18, cementing decades-old security ties into a formal agreement. The deal, signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to ����ֱ��, stipulated that aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both.

The two countries share longstanding ties rooted in faith, mutual respect and strategic cooperation, with Riyadh remaining a key political and economic partner of Islamabad and both sides now expanding collaboration in trade and investment.

Field Marshal Munir said the world has witnessing increased fragility and volatility with a discernible shift toward violence as an instrument for attaining political objectives, referring to various conflicts around the world.

“Our Armed Forces contribute immensely to United Nations Peacekeeping Missions across the globe,” he said at a passing-out parade ceremony at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), according to the Pakistani military’s media wing, ISPR.

“The recent Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement with Kingdom of ����ֱ�� is a reinforcement and formalization of Pakistan-Saudi brotherhood and a step toward ensuring peace and stability in the Middle East and South Asia.”

Munir’s comments came amid days of cross-border clashes and airstrikes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, killing dozens of people on both sides. Although the two countries have clashed in the past, the fighting this month is their worst in decades.

The clashes have drawn the attention of ����ֱ�� and Qatar, who have mediated and sought to stop the fighting. Qatar is hosting leaders from both countries for talks to end the crisis. US President Donald Trump has also said he can help resolve the conflict.

“For people and Armed Forces of Pakistan, it is a moment of unique pride to reaffirm our faithful commitment to defense of Harmain Shareefain,” Field Marshal Munir said quoting a verse by Allama Iqbal that calls for the unity of Muslims to safeguard the holy sites in the Kingdom.

The statement also came a day after Pakistan’s Foreign Office applauded ����ֱ��’s stance during the conflict, which it said called for stability and de-escalation in the region.

“Pakistan and the Kingdom of ����ֱ�� are longtime close allies and partners who are committed to each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said during his weekly media briefing. “In this context, we are fully confident of each other’s position.”

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated in recent years, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of sheltering fighters from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), allowing them to stage cross-border attacks from Afghan soil. Kabul denies the allegations, saying it does not permit its territory to be used against other countries.

Sporadic clashes between the two countries began last Saturday night, killing dozens of people on both sides before the two reached a 48-hour truce on Wednesday. The truce ended on Friday and was followed by Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan, which Afghan authorities said killed at least 10 people.