Senate Chairman Gilani takes charge as acting president

Published May 21, 2024
Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy, Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rehman bin Ayob, called on acting president Yousuf Raza Gilani at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on May 20. — PID
Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy, Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rehman bin Ayob, called on acting president Yousuf Raza Gilani at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on May 20. — PID

ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday assum­­ed the charge as acting president after President Asif Ali Zardrai left the country for United Arab Emirates on a private visit.

According to the Presi­dency, a notification was issued which said the president has made Mr Gilani the acting president. Simi­larly, Deputy Senate Chair­m­­an Syedaal Khan will serve as acting cha­­irman of the upper house of parliament.

A source told Dawn that President Zardari has left for Dubai on a private visit and he will return to the country in four to five days.

After assuming the charge of the acting president, Mr Gilani called for further consolidating bila­teral relations with Mala­ysia for the mutual interest of the two brotherly countries.

“Pakistan and Malaysia enjoy cordial cooperation at all international fora, which need to be further strengthened for the benefit of the two sides,” the acting president said while talking to the Chief of the Malaysian Navy, Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman bin Ayob, who along with his delegation, called on him, at Aiwan-i-Sadr.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the acting president stressed the need for further exploring avenues of cooperation in maritime sectors for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries. He expressed the hope that training and ex­­change programmes bet­ween the two navies would further cement naval cooperation between Pakistan and Malaysia.

Mr Gilani expressed satisfaction over the regular conduct of bilateral naval exercises and training collaboration between Pakistan and Malaysia.

He praised the Malaysian Navy for re­­g­­ular participation in AMAN exercises and emp­hasised the need for continuity of the same in future.

“Pakistan is looking forward to the continued support of Malaysia for Pakistan’s bid to become the Full Dialogue Partner of Asean,” he added.

Earlier, the acting president conferred the award of Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Milit­ary) upon the Chief of the Malaysian Navy, Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman bin Ayob, during a special investiture ceremony, at the Presidency.

The award was conferred upon him in recognition of his professional achievements and endeavours for strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the Malay­sian Navy and the Pakistan Navy.

The acting president congratulated the Malay­sian naval chief on receiving the award and appreciated his contributions towards increasing naval cooperation between the two countries.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...