AGENCIES KUWAIT PAKISTAN and Kuwait on Sunday agreed to set up a High Powered Special Committee, which will meet immediately to identify areas of investment and joint ventures in Pakistan by Kuwaiti entrepreneurs.

It was agreed during the talks between President Asif Ali Zardari and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah.

The two leaders held wide-ranging talks to further bolster their existing close and multi-faceted relations in diverse fields, particularly in the areas of trade and economy.

During the talks, President Zardari was assisted by Advisor on Petroleum and Natural Resources Asim Hussain, Secretary-General M Salman Faruqui, sokesperson to the president Farhatullah Babar and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait Iftekhar Aziz.

The Emir of Kuwait was assisted by Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah, Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al Mohammed al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah and other ministers.

During the talks, which were held in a very cordial atmosphere, the two sides discussed at length the prospects of increased bilateral cooperation in various fields, with particular focus on the expansion of ties in economic, commercial, investment, manpower and energy, spokesperson to the president Farhatullah Babar said after the talks.

There was unanimity of views on various issues of regional and international importance, as the two sides also exchanged views on the challenges faced by Muslim Ummah, particularly the situation in Afghanistan, Middle East, fight against terrorists and extremists and Pakistan’s role for peace and stability of the region.

About the Middle East situation, President Zardari said that the use of violence was counterproductive, as was the destruction of material assets, adding, it was time that individual and collective capabilities were utilised to bring stability and peace to the region.

The president apprised the Kuwaiti Emir of the multiple security and economic challenges being faced by Pakistan.