ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Senate chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani emphasized the necessity of strengthening trade relations between Saudi Arabia and his country while holding a meeting with the kingdom's Shoura Council speaker Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh in Islamabad on Thursday.
The Shoura Council is a legislative body that has the power to propose laws to the Saudi king and his cabinet and has 150 members.
A Saudi parliamentary delegation, led by the council's speaker, is currently on a three-day visit to Pakistan.
According to the Senate secretariat, Sanjrani welcomed the visiting dignitaries earlier today and discussed matters of mutual interest.
"It is important to further promote bilateral trade between the two countries," said the chairman of the Pakistan Senate, adding: "Saudi business community can also benefit from the safe and favorable investment environment in Pakistan."
Sanjrani appreciated the kingdom's support to Pakistan which made it easier for the administration in Islamabad to hold a special session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation which focused on Afghanistan's deteriorating humanitarian situation.
He said that Saudi Arabia had always helped his country in difficult times, as he also expressed hope for enduring peace in Afghanistan.
The Saudi delegation's visit comes only days after Pakistan hosted the OIC conference on Dec. 19 at the Parliament House in Islamabad.
The Shoura Council members also assured Pakistan's National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser on Wednesday the kingdom would continue to support Pakistan in its quest to bring stability to Afghanistan.
The Senate secretariat statement announced the Saudi Shoura Council speaker invited Sanjrani to the inaugural ceremony of the new parliamentary year in the kingdom which the Pakistani official accepted with gratitude.
