Pakistan-Saudi Parliamentary dialogue commences in Riyadh

Riyadh : Leading a delegation of Senators and scholars to Saudi Arabia on the invitation of the Speaker of the Shoura Council, Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al ash-Sheikh, Senator Mushahid Hussain has initiated the first ever parliamentary dialogue on bilateral and Muslim World issues. Says a press statement issued on Wednesday.

Senator Mushahid, while discussing Pak-Saudi bilateral relations, thanked Saudi Arabia for its support to Pakistan during times of need, especially the role of King Faisal in facilitating the Islamic Summit in Lahore in 1974, as well as financial support after the 1998 nuclear tests. He also welcomed King Abdullah’s initiative during the Extraordinary Islamic Summit in 2012 in Makkah to establish the Centre for Dialogue and Harmony among Religions.

The Senator said millions of Pakistani workers have helped to develop the Kingdom over the last several decades and around 1.9 million Pakistanis continue living and working in the Kingdom. The Arab News reported while calling Saudi-Pakistan ties reached new heights with this visit.

On the occasion, Pakistani Ambassador Mohammed Naeem Khan, Deputy Head of Mission Khayyam Akbar and President of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Friendship Group Abdullah bin Hamoud Al-Harbi were also present.

The participants expressed satisfaction on the state of bilateral relations and hoped that both countries would further diversify their relationship, in light of decisions taken during the recent visit by Deputy Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Salman, and the recently concluded Joint Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh.

The delegation, including Senator Farhatullah Babar, Senator Begum Najma Hameed, Muhammad Hussain Akbar, Fakhar Hasan Al-Karavi and Qazi Niyaz Hussain, was warmly received by the Speaker and other members of the Majlis Shura.