ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Ethiopia on Monday agreed to strengthen cooperation in the defence and aviation sectors as part of efforts to deepen their bilateral ties.
The consensus was reached during a meeting between Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Ethiopian Ambassador Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula in Islamabad.
The ambassador briefed the minister on the recent inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), stressing that the project is founded on the principle of equitable and reasonable use of water resources.
He emphasised that the dam aims to promote regional integration without causing significant harm to neighboring countries, according to a statement issued by the Ethiopian embassy.
𝐎𝐧 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟔𝐭𝐡, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Jemal Beker called on H.E. Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister of Defence for #Pakistan, at his office in the @NAofPakistan.
The two sides discussed growing bilateral & multilateral cooperation between #Ethiopia &… pic.twitter.com/ElftzPLYS9— Ethiopian Embassy Islamabad (@ETEmbassyISB) October 6, 2025
Ambassador Abdula also highlighted Ethiopia’s remarkable progress in the aviation sector and expressed interest in expanding flight operations to Pakistan beyond the current Karachi route.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif praised Ethiopia’s visionary leadership, commending Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed for his transformative initiatives aimed at driving socio-economic development and prosperity.
He also acknowledged Ethiopia’s vital role in fostering peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa, reaffirming Pakistan’s strong support for these efforts.
Khawaja Asif appreciated the arrival of the Ethiopian Airlines in Karachi, which has given a major boost to the bilateral relations of the two countries, especially people-to-people and business-to-business ties between Ethiopia and Pakistan, as well as connecting the rest of Africa.
Expressing his condolences for the loss of lives in landslide incidents that took place in Gofa region of Ethiopia, the minister reiterated the Government’s commitment and support to the people and Government of Ethiopia in difficult times.
