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Pakistan, Kenya mull counter-terror and other cooperation: envoy

Xinhua, December 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kenya and Pakistan are considering entering into a number of bilateral cooperation agreements including counter terrorism cooperation, Pakistan's ambassador to Kenya said on Tuesday.

Raza Bashir Tarar told Xinhua in Nairobi that terrorism is now a permanent scourge that practically affects the whole world.

"We are therefore considering mechanisms on how to exchange information and experiences on how to enhance national security by reducing the threat of terrorism," Tarar said.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani envoy said his country is seeking to sign a number of bilateral agreements in order to share expertise and ideas in various fields.

"The agreements will give both nations a common understanding of expectations," he added.

A Kenya-Pakistan ministerial commission was supposed to be held in Pakistan in 2016 but has since been postponed to early 2017.

During the bilateral meeting a number of agreements are expected to be signed. "We are also exploring the possibility of a defense cooperation pact. Pakistan is able to supply Kenya with military hardware at favorable rates," the envoy said.

He added that Pakistan has enormous experience in narcotics control that it can share with the East African nation. In 2015, bilateral trade reached 600 million U.S. dollars.

Kenya exported mainly tea to Pakistan while the Asian nation exported rice, pharmaceutical products and machinery to Kenya.

Tarar said that the level of bilateral trade is below the potential, given the long and historical ties.

He added that the one of the biggest challenges facing bilateral trade is the perception that trade with developed nations is more lucrative than trade with other developing countries. Endit