ISLAMABAD, Friday, December 19, 2025 (WNP): President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday met with Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and newly appointed Secretary General-Designate of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, congratulating him on his appointment and highlighting the significance of a seasoned Pakistani diplomat leading the regional bloc.

During the meeting, President Zardari expressed confidence that Ambassador Mahmood’s experience and diplomatic insight would strengthen the D-8 and enhance its relevance in addressing the collective priorities of its member states.

Ambassador Mahmood briefed the President on his new role and shared his vision for advancing cooperation across the economic, trade, energy, agriculture, industry, transportation, and tourism sectors.

The President underscored Pakistan’s continued commitment as a founding member of D-8 and emphasized the need for effective implementation of the D-8 Decennial Roadmap 2020–2030. He stressed the importance of translating agreed frameworks into tangible outcomes, particularly in priority sectors, and highlighted the urgency of full operationalisation of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). He welcomed the signing of the Protocol on the D-8 PTA Dispute Settlement Mechanism, calling it a positive step toward addressing trade barriers and strengthening economic collaboration among member states.

President Zardari also highlighted the value of enhancing people-to-people contacts within D-8 countries to deepen cultural and historical ties. He emphasized the need for institutional reforms to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the organization and expressed confidence that Ambassador Mahmood would play a constructive role in aligning D-8 with contemporary global standards while safeguarding Pakistan’s national interests.

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood thanked the President for his guidance and outlined his commitment to promoting economic growth, regional development, and cooperative engagement among D-8 member states.

Senator Sherry Rehman, Parliamentary Leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party in the Senate, also attended the meeting.