Islamabad, The Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Neil Hawkins, led a delegation to meet with the Caretaker Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Justice (R) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, at the Chief Minister House in Peshawar on Thursday. The meeting focused on issues of mutual interest, bilateral relations, and cooperation between Australia and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Australian High Commissioner congratulated Chief Minister Shah on his appointment and extended his best wishes. In return, the Caretaker Chief Minister congratulated Commissioner Hawkins on the Australian Cricket Team’s World Cup victory.

Chief Minister Shah emphasized that the top priorities of the Caretaker Provincial Government are to provide maximum service to the province’s people and to ensure better governance. He outlined steps being taken to improve public service delivery and the effectiveness of the monitoring system. He also highlighted the importance of the minority community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, noting that their welfare and protection are being prioritized.

Additionally, Chief Minister Shah mentioned the ongoing process of evacuating illegal foreigners from the province, ensuring that the provincial government is providing support and facilities to those returning to their homelands. He expressed appreciation for the Australian government’s cooperation in various social sectors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and expressed hope for continued collaboration in the future.

High Commissioner Hawkins, in his remarks, acknowledged the long-standing and friendly relations between Australia and Pakistan. He conveyed the Australian government’s desire for stability, growth, and prosperity in Pakistan.

Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, along with other relevant officials, attended the meeting, marking it as a significant step in strengthening the ties between Australia and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.