NAN – The Pakistani High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lt.-Gen. Ashraf Saleem (rtd), on Monday, March 23, 2015 commended the Nigerian Armed Forces over the recent achievements recorded against Boko Haram.
Saleem made the commendation in Abuja during the celebration of the Pakistan 2015 National and Defence Day.
He said Pakistan would remain steadfast in its support for Nigeria in her fight against terrorism.
“Our heartiest felicitations to the Armed Forces of Nigeria on their recent achievements in the northeast Nigeria,’’ the High Commissioner said.
He said that over the years Pakistan itself had lost “more than 50,000 civilians and 10,000 soldiers to the scourge of terrorism”.
He assured that his country would continue to assist to friendly nations in their struggle to safeguard their national unity and integrity.
He described Pakistan as world’s first line of defence in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
“Pakistan, which had also suffered economic and financial loss of 80 billion dollars in the battle against terrorism, has become a symbol of the global will and tenacity to uproot the evil”, Saleem said.
He said Nigerian and Pakistani armed forces had been part of many successful international peace keeping operations.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who was the Special Guest of Honour, commended Pakistan for its achievements in “ textiles, sports and surgical goods.
Abubakar said Pakistan in spite of its challenges, had excelled agriculture and manufacturing of all kinds of military equipment.
Abubakar served as Nigeria’s Defence Attache in Pakistan for three years during his career in the Nigerian Army.
The Foreign Affairs, Minister, Alhaji Aminu Wali, was represented by Ambassador Hussein Abdullah also commended Pakistan’s friendly disposition towards Nigeria.
