ISLAMABAD: National Assembly (NA) Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Tuesday discussed matters pertaining to forging deeper relationship and partnership with Islamic Republic of Iran and Republic of Azerbaijan, during separate meetings held with the ambassadors of the two countries in Parliament House.
The speaker called for diversification of trade and economic relations to assign substantive meaning to bilateral cooperation.
While speaking to the Ambassador of Iran Mehdi Honardost, the NA speaker said that terrorism and extremism were now international issues and it was the right time to fight this menace collectively.
He also said that Pakistan was focusing on tackling terrorism effectively in the region through coordinated efforts of neighbouring countries. “We are planning to host a conference in December where we will invite speakers from China, Russia, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan, talk on this important topic,” he added.
Further, Ayaz Sadiq said that Pakistan and Iran cherished warm bilateral relations which were deeply rooted in religious and cultural affinities. He said that both the countries should play a positive role to address divisions within the Muslim world, adding that Pakistan wanted to play a larger role in this regard to prevent the Muslim world from breaking into factions, and facing violence, instability and underdevelopment.
Ayaz Sadiq termed Pak-Iran parliamentary engagement as ‘highly imperative’ for cohesion of the entire region. The speaker said that stronger Pak-Iran relation was instrumental to ensuring regional peace, security and prosperity.
Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardost acknowledged Pakistan’s endeavours for promoting unity among the Muslims nations and expressed his hope that both the countries would continue to partner for a stable, peaceful and progressive Muslim world.
He endorsed Ayaz Sadiq’s proposal for collaboration to promote sustainable patterns of governance and assist each other in institutional building for effective governance.
In a separate meeting with the Ambassador of Azerbaijan Ali Alizada, the NA speaker remarked that Pakistan’s quest for regional outreach to Central Asian republics attached paramount importance to vitality of its relations with Azerbaijan.
He added that both the countries have extended unflinching support to each other at various international forums on the issues of Kashmir and Nagorno Karabakh respectively.
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to enhance bilateral relations, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq underlined the need for diversification of trade, economic and parliamentary relations to assign substantive meanings to bilateral collaboration. He said that both the countries have commonalities of views and perceptions on various regional and international issues.
Alizada highly appreciated Pakistan’s gesture of friendship with Azerbaijan and said that the political leadership of Azerbaijan was committed to strengthen its ties with Pakistan. He also reciprocated Azerbaijan’s commitment to an enduring, comprehensive, diversified and warm relations with Pakistan manifested in trade and economic dividends for both nations.
