Celina Ali
Islamabad: Pakistan and Italy have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations as Italian Ambassador Marilina Armellin paid a farewell call on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar this week at the conclusion of her diplomatic assignment in Islamabad.
During the meeting, Dar congratulated Ambassador Armellin on what he described as a successful tenure and commended her contribution to advancing cooperation between the two countries across a range of sectors.
He acknowledged her efforts in promoting stronger political engagement and expanding collaboration in trade, investment, education and labour mobility, areas that have emerged as key pillars of the Pakistan-Italy partnership in recent years.
The DPM noted that relations between Islamabad and Rome have continued to grow steadily, supported by regular diplomatic engagement and increasing people-to-people contacts.
He reiterated Pakistan’s desire to further elevate bilateral ties and explore new avenues of cooperation that could bring mutual economic and social benefits to both countries.
Dar emphasised the importance of strengthening commercial links and encouraging greater investment flows, while also highlighting the role of educational exchanges and skills development initiatives in deepening long-term cooperation.
He said Pakistan values its relationship with Italy and remains committed to building on the progress achieved during Ambassador Armellin’s tenure.
Pakistan and Italy enjoy cordial relations spanning several decades, with cooperation extending to trade, development, culture and migration. Italy is home to a sizeable Pakistani diaspora, which serves as an important bridge between the two nations and contributes significantly to economic and cultural ties. Labour mobility has become an increasingly important area of engagement, with both countries seeking to expand opportunities for skilled Pakistani workers in the Italian market.
In recent years, bilateral cooperation has also grown in areas such as higher education, vocational training and business partnerships, reflecting a broader effort to diversify the relationship beyond traditional diplomatic engagement.
Ambassador Armellin thanked Dar and the Government of Pakistan for the support and cooperation extended to her throughout her stay in the country. She expressed satisfaction over the progress made in bilateral relations during her tenure and said she was encouraged by the positive trajectory of engagement between the two countries.
The ambassador also conveyed her appreciation for the warmth and hospitality she received in Pakistan, while expressing confidence that the strong foundations established in recent years would help further strengthen relations in the future.
Dar extended his best wishes to Ambassador Armellin for her future assignments and professional endeavours, expressing hope that she would continue to remain a friend of Pakistan and an advocate for closer Pakistan-Italy relations.
