Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser said on Friday that Saudi Arabia was a selfless friend of Pakistan which has stood firmly with the country in every difficult time and provided assistance generously.

He said that Pakistan is proud of its exemplary friendship with Saudi Arabia. He expressed these views while talking to Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki who called on him at Parliament House.

The national assembly speaker said that the long term and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were based on respect and affection of the people of both the countries for each other.

He said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia shared common faith, culture, history and heritage. He further said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have commonality of views on regional and global issues and both the countries have always supported each other at regional and international forums.

He said that the Parliament of Pakistan has also remained in the forefront to cement the brotherly relations.

NA Speaker Asad Qaiser urged the need to further strengthen the existing relations based on brotherhood and fraternity.

He said that the honour and warm welcome extended by the Saudi Arabia government and people to Prime Minister Imran Khan during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia will prove to be a milestone to further strengthen bilateral relations.

He appreciated the relief package given by Saudi government to overcome financial crises in Pakistan.

He said that a large number of Pakistani expatriates serving in various fields in Saudi Arabia were earning valuable foreign exchange for their homeland.

The speaker stressed the need for concession in punishment to Pakistani people who have been convicted in minor offences in Saudi Arabia. He welcomed Saudi’s participation in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and opined that bilateral relations will be further strengthened by investment of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan.

He said that ties between the two parliaments will be cemented by reactivation of friendship groups in the National Assembly.

He said that unity among the Muslim countries was imperative to overcome the challenges confronted by the Ummah.

The speaker also invited the speaker of Saudi Majlis-e-Shoora to visit Pakistan.

Saudi Arabian Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki termed the relations between the two countries as “historic and unique”. He said that Pakistan is the closest friend and ally of Saudi Arabia, adding that Shah Sulman and Crown Prince have great respect and affection for Pakistan.

He assured his government for all out support to Pakistan in diverse fields and remained confident that fraternal relations between both the countries would further strengthen by frequent interactions between the Parliamentarians of both the countries.

He said that Saudi Arabia would always stand by its Pakistani brethren whenever needed and expressed his optimism that the recent visit of PM Imran Khan would further strengthen the relations between the two brotherly countries.

He assured the speaker that he will talk to high-ups of the Saudi Arabia government for concession to Pakistani people who were convicted in minor offences in Saudi Arabia. He also extended invitation to the speaker of the National Assembly on behalf of Saudi Majlis-e-Shoora speaker to visit Saudia Arabia.

Published in Daily Times, November 17^th 2018.