ISLAMABAD – Australian High Commissioner Dr Geoffrey Shaw believed that thebilateral relations with Pakistan will grow stronger in future.

In a message on the eve of the Australia Day, the top envoy said that theevent provides a chance to review the ties.

He highlighted that Australia was one of the few countries to formallyrecognise Pakistan as a new state in the world in 1947, adding: “Since thenour ties are strengthening.”

The high commissioner said that both countries has lot of common thingslike passion for cricket, which provide strong base to the relations.

The ambassador said that more than 80,000 Pakistanis called Australia astheir home, adding that numbers of students are hosted for higher educationat Australia universities.

He said that the students are playing a key role in the development ofPakistan.

Shaw also highlighted that his country provided assistance to Pakistanduring the COVID-19 pandemic for purchasing ventilators and help of womenduring the lockdown situation.

“This assistance is in addition to our long-term development cooperation,which aims at better management of water resources, improved agriculturalproductivity and promotion of gender equality.

“There is a potential to boost the economic ties between the two countriesespecially in the field of agriculture,” he added.