Islamabad, December 22, 2021 (TDI): Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong fraternal ties firmly rooted in shared faith, culture, traditions, and mutual goodwill.
Speaker said that the people and Government of Pakistan have a deep reverence for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Saudi Leadership. He underlined Pakistan’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations through enhanced cooperation in social and economic sectors between two brotherly countries.
Speaker Asad Qaiser expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation led by a Chairman Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr.Abdullah Bin Mohammaed Al-Sheikh, who is on a three-day official visit to Islamabad.
Speaker Asad Qaiser has said that Saudi Arabia had always played a positive role in maintaining peace in the region. While mentioning about looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the Speaker said that it seeks the immediate attention of the international community.
Asad Qaiser said that people in Afghanistan were in dire need of food, medicines, clothing, fuel and other necessities of daily life. He further said that the role of Saudi Arabia is of paramount importance in this regard. He said that Pakistan desires peaceful, stable and independent Afghanistan as its neighbor, and the support of Saudi Arabia would help Afghanistan to get out of this crisis.
Speaker also appreciated the vibrant role of Saudi Arabi in deterring the looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and its announcement of financially supporting Afghanistan in a Special meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held successfully in Islamabad last week.
The Speaker appreciated the suggestion of Chairman Saudi Shura for holding a parliamentary conference on Afghanistan and Kashmir. he said that both the Secretariats would work on that proposal.
The Speaker said that Saudi Arabia had always been a strong proponent of economic development in Pakistan and had generously helped Pakistan in crisis. He appreciated the recent billion dollars economic package for Pakistan. He appreciated Saudi Investment in diverse sectors in Pakistan. He added that Saudi Arabia has been very considerate about the resolution of problems faced by Pakistani expatriates working in the Kingdom.
Speaker also said that the Pakistani diaspora in Saudi Arabia has an important role to play in strengthening the economy of Pakistan. He said that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan shared unanimity of views on regional and international issues being confronted by the world. He said that Parliamentary exchanges would help to further strengthen people-to-people and commercial relations.
Underscoring the need for regional peace, Speaker Asad Qaiser said that regional peace is imperative for regional socio-economic development. He said that the looming humanitarian Afghan crisis may jeopardize the life of common people in Afghanistan and this crisis demand interference by the international community on humanitarian grounds.
While talking about atrocities on innocent Kashmiris in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), he said that resolution of Kashmir dispute as per UNSC resolutions is imperative for regional peace. He said that the Indian Government had resorted to illegal and unconstitutional actions of depriving Kashmiris of their right of identity.
Chairman Saudi Shura Council Dr.Abdullah Bin Mohammaed Al-Sheikh thanked Speaker Asad Qaiser for according a warm welcome on his arrival in Islamabad. He said that Pakistan had always been at the forefront of issues confronting Muslim Ummah and played its responsible role.
Chairman Saudi Shura said that Pakistan needs to be felicitated on the successful initiative for bringing Muslim countries on the platform of OIC and he also appreciated the role of Pakistan in raising the consciousness of the world to deter the Afghan humanitarian crisis. He acknowledged that both the countries shared unanimity of views on regional issues especially the grave issues in Afghanistan.
Chairman said that Saudi Arabia always attaches great importance to its fraternal relations with Pakistan and considers it a sincere friend and brother. He said that these relations are not only among the ruling hierarchies but within the people of both countries.
Chairman Shura Council said that the Parliaments of both countries could play an important role in bringing both nations closer besides promoting bilateral cooperation. He also assured the Speaker that Saudi Arabia would continue its support to Pakistan in its efforts to bring regional stability especially in the context of the volatile situation of Afghanistan. He agreed that the Kashmir issue was a flashpoint, this needs the attention of the international community.
The Chairman Saudi Shura suggested holding a parliamentary conference of Islamic Countries in Afghanistan and Kashmir. He praised the role of Pakistani expatriates in the economic development of Saudi Arabia. He assured the Speaker of the resolution of issues as soon the pandemic situation eases. The Chairman Saudi Shura informed that 583 scholarships have been reserved for Pakistani students in Saudi universities.
