ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi said that Pakistan wanted to enhance its relations with United Kingdom (UK), Republic of Korea and Malawi in fields of trade, economy and culture.

Talking to High Commissioner-designates of United Kingdom and Malawi and Ambassador-designate of Republic of Korea to Pakistan where envoys presented their diplomatic credentials to him in separately called on meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr while talking to Jane Marriot, UK's High Commissioner to Pakistan he said that Pakistan attached utmost significance to its longstanding ties with UK, which were grounded in historic connections and enduring people-to-people linkages.

He remarked that both countries needed to further expand and promote economic and trade relations for mutual benefit of two sides. He lauded contributions of Pakistani diaspora in UK towards its socio-economic development. President Alvi underscored need for strengthening cultural ties and people-to-people contacts. He highlighted that both governments were committed to establishing and maintaining a more robust and long-term relationship. He urged that world needed to prevent and discourage incidents of Islamophobia in world.

Speaking to Park Ki Jun, Ambassador of Republic of Korea, President said that Pakistan highly valued its multidimensional relationship with Korea, encompassing political, economic, scientific, cultural and people-to-people linkages. He mentioned that Pakistan and Korea had tremendous potential to increase bilateral trade to further strengthen economic relations.

President informed that Pakistan offered some of most exotic mountaineering and religious Buddhist sites and would welcome Korean tourists to visit and explore these sites. Talking to Younos Abdul Karim, High Commissioner of Malawi President expressed Pakistan's deep appreciation for its historical and brotherly ties with Malawi which were marked by shared interests, values and goals. He stressed need for expanding economic, political and cultural relations between two countries. He congratulated envoys on their appointments and expressed hope that they would play their role to further boost bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.