Manzar Naqvi
KARACHI: A distinguished diplomatic and business gathering was held in Karachi where the Honorary Consul-General of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mirza Ishtiaq Baig, along with MNA Mirza Akhtiar Baig, hosted an elegant dinner in honour of Ambassador Mohamed Karmoune, Morocco’s foremost representative to Pakistan. The event, which brought together diplomats from various countries, leading industrialists, business figures, and noted personalities from the media and entertainment sectors, served as an important platform for strengthening Pakistan-Morocco relations.
Ambassador Mohamed Karmoune, who travelled from Islamabad specifically to attend this dinner, was warmly received by the hosts and the distinguished guests. A seasoned diplomat with decades of experience, Karmoune has played a transformative role in enhancing Morocco’s diplomatic outreach in Pakistan. His tenure has been marked by proactive engagement with Pakistan’s political leadership, the business community, and cultural institutions. Through his persistent efforts, both nations have explored multiple avenues of cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, agriculture, renewable energy, vocational training, and cultural exchange. His meetings with Pakistani leadership, including the President of Pakistan, reflect his deep commitment to advancing not only government-to-government ties but also people-to-people and institutional linkages.
During his interactions at the dinner, Ambassador Karmoune emphasized the significance of expanding investment and tourism between Pakistan and Morocco. He highlighted Morocco’s growing stature as a regional economic hub, reinforcing that business communities on both sides can significantly benefit from enhanced trade routes, mutual investments, and tourism promotion. He reiterated Morocco’s openness to deepening its partnership with Pakistan in diverse sectors, acknowledging the potential for robust collaboration in renewable energy, logistics, textiles, and agricultural products. His remarks reflected the broader direction of Morocco’s foreign policy, which encourages economic cooperation and cultural engagement as pillars of modern diplomacy.
MNA Mirza Akhtiar Baig, while addressing the gathering, stated that the trade volume between Pakistan and Morocco has reached USD 400 million, noting that there is immense untapped potential to elevate this figure through targeted business linkages and government-level initiatives. He expressed optimism that the strengthening of bilateral ties-facilitated by dynamic figures like Ambassador Karmoune and Honorary Consul-General Ishtiaq Baig-will pave the way for even more substantial cooperation in the coming years.
Honorary Consul-General Mirza Ishtiaq Baig and host of the dinner, in his address, underscored the cultural dimension of Pakistan-Morocco relations and announced that proposals are being reviewed to translate Pakistani dramas and films into the Moroccan language. This initiative, he noted, would significantly strengthen cultural connectivity between the two nations and introduce Pakistani entertainment content to Moroccan audiences. Baig also briefed the attendees about Morocco’s exceptional tourism landscape-its historic cities, scenic coastlines, and modern hospitality sector-encouraging guests to visit the Kingdom. He assured that the Consulate would extend full facilitation to Pakistani tourists and business delegations interested in exploring Morocco, which he described as both a beautiful travel destination and a promising business hub.
Ishtiaq Baig’s hospitality, as well as his continuous efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations, stem from his long-standing relationship with Morocco. Having lived in the country for nearly two decades, Baig possesses a deep understanding of Moroccan society, culture, and economic environment. As the Honorary Consul-General since 2006, his contributions span diplomatic engagement, trade promotion, cultural exchange, and humanitarian service. His leadership in the Pak-Morocco Business Council and his role within the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) have made him one of the foremost facilitators of economic cooperation between the two nations.
Participants at the dinner expressed confidence that the relations between Pakistan and Morocco would continue to grow across multiple domains-especially trade, tourism, investment, and media collaboration. The event not only celebrated the enduring friendship between the two countries but also underscored the shared resolve of diplomatic and business leaders to further enrich these ties.
Through the combined efforts of Ambassador Karmoune and Honorary Consul-General Ishtiaq Baig, Pakistan-Morocco relations are witnessing a renewed momentum-rooted in mutual respect, expanding commercial partnerships, cultural affinity, and a shared vision for long-term cooperation. The evening served as a testament to the evolving dynamics of this bilateral relationship, highlighting the promising path forward for both nations.
