Abu Zarrar
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Bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Pakistan began five decades ago and diplomatic ties have continued to go from strength to strength most notably, in the area of military cooperation, trade, cultural exchange and education. Military to military ties can further increase between two countries as Nigeria expressed its desire to purchase Pakistan’s defence equipment especially JF-17 Thunder aircraft. Nigerian President, who was pleased with level of defence and military cooperation between both countries, agreed with the immediate past Pakistan’s Prime Minister that there was still room to do more.
Strong bilateral ties between Nigeria and Pakistan will increase defence exports as Nigerian government is keen on working with Pakistan to update its defence sector.
Pundits have opined that Pakistan should expand its bonds with African states as they are lacking in various fields and Pakistan can fulfill their needs in various sectors. Cultural exchange programs are very important event for every country to extend its friendship and get support of that country. During the government of PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Nigeria urged Pakistan to increase cultural and student exchange programs so that both countries can work together at the grass root level. Exchange programs are essentials tools to create soft corner in the minds of other countries. It is also a tool to present the culture of one’s country.
Analysts are of the opinion that bilateral economic ties are not too good between two countries as their volume of trade is not that much high. Nigeria expressed its desire to increase bilateral trade volume of both countries during the meeting of the then PM Abbasi and Nigerian President Buhari on the side-line of D-8 summit in Turkey. They believe that now it’s up to the Pakistani government on how they engage Nigeria in the fields of economy and defence. High Commissioner of Nigeria Maj. General Ashimiyu Adebayo Olaniyi reportedly said that huge untapped potential of Nigeria could be explored through joint ventures between private sectors of two countries. They analysts argued that Nigerian government would extend maximum cooperation to achieve goal of economic prosperity.
It is on record that Pakistan likes to revisit and redefine its foreign policy and its priorities as Islamabad seeks to establish its strategic and economic ties with various countries of Africa. Its foreign policy dimensions are now expanding and Islamabad has shown interest to increase its good dealings and diplomatic network in Africa. Each country has its significance and space at various International Organizations/ forums. Economy is also a leading factor in bilateral relationship; some African countries are mineral rich countries and have huge potential for trade and defence. Pakistan wants to look forward towards these countries as Pakistan can easily fulfill their needs and can support them in the sector of defence. During the tenure of PPP government, Pakistan’s economic ties started to grow. It is now expected that the new Government of PM Imran Khan, will also increase and give boost to the relations between the two countries.
It would be beneficial for both Pakistan and Nigeria to focus on the enhancement of the areas of cooperation especially in defence and economy. Pakistani Army and Air Force are working with Nigerian Army and Air Force to improve bilateral defence cooperation. In April 2018, a team of Pakistan Air Force visited Nigeria and held meetings with Nigerian counterparts. Public commentators hold firm to the fact that Pakistan and Nigeria are facing challenges of extremism and terrorism, so both countries should join hands to share their experiences of combating terrorism and extremism. They added that armies of both countries should hold bilateral military exercises to combat terrorism. Nigeria is keenly interested in Pakistan trainee aircraft too and purchased Pakistan’s trainee aircraft in 2017. Such kind of cooperation and exports will not only boost Pakistan’s economic volume but will also fulfill the need of its brother country, Nigeria.
It is responsibility of both governments to increase their economic and defence cooperation further. Both countries should engage each other in various economic activities and expand their cultural and exchange programs to proliferate the positive image of each other among masses. Both countries can also cooperate in the field of agriculture which is major area of exports for Pakistan. At local level, Embassies of both countries need to work closely to explore all possible areas of cooperation between two countries to increase their bilateral trade which is below $1 billion.
Source: https://leadership.ng/2019/01/24/assessing-nigeria-pakistan-military-cooperation/
Strong bilateral ties between Nigeria and Pakistan will increase defence exports as Nigerian government is keen on working with Pakistan to update its defence sector.
Pundits have opined that Pakistan should expand its bonds with African states as they are lacking in various fields and Pakistan can fulfill their needs in various sectors. Cultural exchange programs are very important event for every country to extend its friendship and get support of that country. During the government of PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Nigeria urged Pakistan to increase cultural and student exchange programs so that both countries can work together at the grass root level. Exchange programs are essentials tools to create soft corner in the minds of other countries. It is also a tool to present the culture of one’s country.
Analysts are of the opinion that bilateral economic ties are not too good between two countries as their volume of trade is not that much high. Nigeria expressed its desire to increase bilateral trade volume of both countries during the meeting of the then PM Abbasi and Nigerian President Buhari on the side-line of D-8 summit in Turkey. They believe that now it’s up to the Pakistani government on how they engage Nigeria in the fields of economy and defence. High Commissioner of Nigeria Maj. General Ashimiyu Adebayo Olaniyi reportedly said that huge untapped potential of Nigeria could be explored through joint ventures between private sectors of two countries. They analysts argued that Nigerian government would extend maximum cooperation to achieve goal of economic prosperity.
It is on record that Pakistan likes to revisit and redefine its foreign policy and its priorities as Islamabad seeks to establish its strategic and economic ties with various countries of Africa. Its foreign policy dimensions are now expanding and Islamabad has shown interest to increase its good dealings and diplomatic network in Africa. Each country has its significance and space at various International Organizations/ forums. Economy is also a leading factor in bilateral relationship; some African countries are mineral rich countries and have huge potential for trade and defence. Pakistan wants to look forward towards these countries as Pakistan can easily fulfill their needs and can support them in the sector of defence. During the tenure of PPP government, Pakistan’s economic ties started to grow. It is now expected that the new Government of PM Imran Khan, will also increase and give boost to the relations between the two countries.
It would be beneficial for both Pakistan and Nigeria to focus on the enhancement of the areas of cooperation especially in defence and economy. Pakistani Army and Air Force are working with Nigerian Army and Air Force to improve bilateral defence cooperation. In April 2018, a team of Pakistan Air Force visited Nigeria and held meetings with Nigerian counterparts. Public commentators hold firm to the fact that Pakistan and Nigeria are facing challenges of extremism and terrorism, so both countries should join hands to share their experiences of combating terrorism and extremism. They added that armies of both countries should hold bilateral military exercises to combat terrorism. Nigeria is keenly interested in Pakistan trainee aircraft too and purchased Pakistan’s trainee aircraft in 2017. Such kind of cooperation and exports will not only boost Pakistan’s economic volume but will also fulfill the need of its brother country, Nigeria.
It is responsibility of both governments to increase their economic and defence cooperation further. Both countries should engage each other in various economic activities and expand their cultural and exchange programs to proliferate the positive image of each other among masses. Both countries can also cooperate in the field of agriculture which is major area of exports for Pakistan. At local level, Embassies of both countries need to work closely to explore all possible areas of cooperation between two countries to increase their bilateral trade which is below $1 billion.
Source: https://leadership.ng/2019/01/24/assessing-nigeria-pakistan-military-cooperation/
