ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani, on Monday, said that Pakistan was keen to enhance mutual cooperation with Poland and there was huge scope for enhancing the existing economic ties and increase bilateral trade volume in addition to strengthening cooperation in different sectors for benefit of the people of two sides. Mian Raza Rabbani expressed these views while talking to a ten members Polish Parliamentary delegation currently visiting Pakistan under the leadership of Stanislaw Karczewski, Marshal of the Senate of Poland. While welcoming the delegation, Senate Chairman observed that meeting of the high level delegation from Poland with President and Prime Minister was a manifestation of the fact that Pakistan accords high importance to its relation with Poland and Poland also reciprocates in a similar fashion. Mian Raza Rabbani said that Pakistan and Poland have strong relations deep rooted in history and intertwined by common interests. He expressed satisfaction over the mutual cooperation and said that both Pakistan and Poland supported each other on International forums. He said that both the countries signed 09 MOUs so far and another one is in the pipeline related to defence cooperation between the two sides. The Chairman recalled that Polish refugees of the World War 2 were hosted by Pakistan and Polish nationals assisted Pakistan in establishing its Air Force. He said that existing trade volume of 237 million Euros be enhanced to benefit from the huge potential in the area of trade and investment. He suggested that Chambers of Commerce from both sides should further engage in boosting trade ties. He said that Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Parliament should be made more proactive to promote parliamentary dialogue. Senate Chairman appreciated the role of Poland in supporting Pakistan’s membership in the Human Rights Committee of United Nations. He said that Indian Occupied Forces were committing serious human rights abuses and violation of the international laws against innocent Kashmiri who were fighting for their basic right of self-determination. Indian forces, he said, had thrown to the wind international laws and human rights agreed among the comity of nations. He said that pallet guns used affected the eyesight of children and women. He appraised the visiting delegation that Pakistan law enforcing agencies and civilians had sacrificed more than 70000 lives in addition to the economic losses of billions of US dollors in the fight against terrorism. He said that Pakistanis are resilient people and would succeed in their war against the evil which had shaken the very fabric of the society. “We place our bilateral relationship with Parliament, people and government of Poland at a high esteem,” Raza Rabbani remarked. During the meeting both leaders emphasised frequent exchanges at parliamentary and other levels and promotion of parliamentary diplomacy to create a sense of mutuality and togetherness. He said that terrorism and extremism were global phenomena and only through collective efforts we could secure the world and ensure global peace. He called upon the Polish visiting Marshal of the Senate to support the case of Pakistan at the forum of the United Nations and European Union. He hoped that strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and Poland would augur well for global peace. Leader of the Polish delegation assured that Poland supports the resolutions of UN on Kashmir as it believes in peaceful resolution of the conflicts through dialogue. He said that he believes in parliamentary dialogue to boost bilateral relations. He said that they are very specific for dialogue among faiths which have been timely initiated by Pakistan and we would extend all out support. He said that parliamentary exchanges would help enhance the existing economic ties to new altitudes for mutual benefit of the two sides. Earlier, the delegation laid wreath on the monument of “Unsung Heroes of Democracy” and paid tribute to the sacrifices of the heroes of the democracy and their unwavering commitment. Published in Daily Times, November 7th 2017.