Tazeen Akhtar
H.E Mr. Claudio Raja Gabaglia Lins has said that Brazil-Pakistan Defence Agreement is ready to be signed as the new government in Pakistan has assumed charge. Brazil will open office of defence attache in Islamabad. Naya Pakistan has taken many good steps so far. Brazil will also have new government in coming months and both new governments are expected to show positive economic indicators.
In an exclusive interview to “Pakistan in the World”, the Ambassador said that Admiral Ademir Sobrinho, Chief of Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces, visited Pakistan last month and had fruitful meetings with President, Care Taker Defense Minister and Chiefs of all three armed forces. An MoU was finalized to increase cooperation if defense sector. The new government will sign it.Office of Defense Attache will be opened in Pakistan next year.
Both countries have such a huge potential of cooperation in different fields including defence and trade.High officials of both countries visit each other.
Former Army Chief Gen Raheel Shareef visited Brazil in November 2015.
There are concrete possibilities that both countries purchase equipment from each other. This cooperation can be enhanced in all three forces. We can cooperate in exercises as well. It was very dynamic visit. President himself welcomed our Chief of Staff.
Army Chief Gen Bajwa breifed Admiral Sobrinho about Pakistan’s war against terror and regional situation also came under discussion. Admiral Sobrinho also visited defense production units of Pakistan.
Ambassador said that “KC-390 is our leading aircraft that is very popular around the world.The delegation presented information about this aircraft.”
(The KC-390 is a military transport aircraft developed to establish new capacity and performance standards in its category, delivering at the same time the lowest life-cycle cost in the market. As a genuine multi mission aircraft, it can transport and launch cargo and troops and perform a wide array of missions such as medical evacuation, search and rescue and aerial fire fighting, among others. The KC-390 can also perform aerial refueling operations with great flexibility, being capable of refueling from helicopters to high-performance fighter aircraft. Embraer, the Brazilian company which produces the KC-390,is to sign a partnership agreement with Boeing this year.)
To a question regarding cooperation in trade, Ambassador said that “Bilateral trade is continued process. We have noted increase in trade in recent years but it is more from Brazil than from Pakistan.Brazil has trends for more Pakistani exports and we are ready to buy more.”
“Brazil will hold general elections in October and until
January we expect the new government will give positive economic indicators.”
We are observing positive indicators on Pakistani side as well. Bilateral trade further improved last year. We wish this is not for Brazil only but for Pakistan as well. Brazil-Pakistan Business Forum is additional support platform for the trade.”
H.E Mr. Claudio Raja Gabaglia Lins said that “Brazil Pakistan have many common things. For example, 1- Democracy 2 -Accountability 3 -Judicial Empowerment 4- Financial Transparency 5 -Social Media Activation 6 -Women Empowerment.
“Brazil has Presidential form of government while Pakistan has Parliamentary system but both countries have democracy.It is flourishing and taking roots in Pakistan.
Pakistan is strengthening accountability. We have faced corruption scandals in recent years. We improved the system. It is a continued process. We achieved success but still we have challenges.”
“Judges are most effective in both countries. Our Judiciary has no tradition of Suo Moto but our Judges are most effective in dispensation of justice.They can look into the Executive’s matters if society (citizens) file complain in their courts.”
