High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri continues to play key role to cement Pakistan-Australia ties further
Celina Ali
Islamabad: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri continues to play a key role to cement the Pakistan-Australia ties further.
Australia enjoys long-standing and growing ties with Pakistan, underpinned by deepening people-to-people links. Diplomatic relations were established on partition in 1947 and Australia has maintained a resident mission in the country since 1948.
The Australian Government engages with Pakistan in the areas of security cooperation (including, counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism, defence, and law enforcement training), human rights, and development, including through official level dialogue.
Australia and Pakistan enjoy a common heritage and shared interests. Our strong people-to-people links centre on an active and successful Pakistani community in Australia, of more than 100,000 people, that continues to enrich Australia through academia, cultural exchange, commerce and sport.
Australia hosts a sizeable Pakistani international student cohort. There were more than 21,000 international students from Pakistan in Australia from January to May 2024. This includes those on long-term scholarships under the Australia Awards program (29 in 2024) which aims to support Pakistan to achieve sustainable development with particular focus on the empowerment of women and girls, water security, agriculture, infrastructure and inclusive economic development.
Both countries are members of the Commonwealth, are federations with bicameral legislatures, and share a common law tradition – as well as a great love of cricket.
High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, who has been in Australia for a few years has not wasted a day to bring the friendly countries even closer.
The Pakistani community living in Australia is also satisfied with his extraordinary performance for their wellbeing. The envoy is a regular participant in events that promote the ties.
