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Australian minister to attend alumni function

LAHORE: Australian Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Philip Ruddock will be chief guest at the annual dinner of the Australian Alumni Association of Pakistan here on January 24.

The minister is currently visiting Pakistan to discuss a range of issues relating to immigration with the Pakistani officials.

Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan Geoff Allen who is the Patron of the Association will also speak on the occasion.

According to Hamid Ahmad, the Alumni's General Secretary, the Association was formed four years ago under the patronage of the Australian High Commission in Pakistan.

"The mission of the Alumni is to promote business, education and cultural ties between Australia and Pakistan," he said.

He pointed out that the two countries have enjoyed cordial political and trade relations over the past years, with the Australian export amounting to US $400 million and Pakistan's export being half the amount.

Hamid further said nearly 1,000 Pakistani students seek admissions in Australian educational institutions annually.ÑAPP