ISLAMABAD: Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, newly elected speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly, on Friday urged for closer ties with Saudi Arabia, describing the kingdom as a “selfless friend” that had stood by Pakistan in times of need.
The National Assembly, the lower house of Pakistani parliament, last week elected former prime minister Ashraf as its new speaker.
The House has been without a speaker since Asad Qaiser resigned from the post, minutes before a no-confidence vote against former prime minister Imran Khan on April 10, which he had lost.
Ashraf’s statement came after his meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Bin Said Al-Malki at Parliament House Islamabad on Friday.
“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy brotherly relations and the same transcends to the legislatures of the both the countries and have supported each other on international and regional forums,” Speaker Ashraf said.
“Pakistan attaches immense importance to its time-tested and all-weather friendship with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Paying gratitude to the Saudi leadership, the speaker called for enhancing cooperation between the two countries in diverse sectors.
Ambassador Al-Malki agreed with the speaker, saying that undoubtedly the hearts of people of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan beat together.
He said that his “government and people hold Pakistani[s] close to their heart[s],” according to the statement issued by Speaker Ashraf’s office.
“Saudi Arabia had and would always stand by Pakistan whenever needed,” the ambassador was quoted as saying. He also agreed on enhancing parliamentary interaction between legislative bodies of both countries.
Pakistan has deep-rooted ties with Saudi Arabia and nearly 2.5 million Pakistani expats live in the kingdom.
Last week Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to Shehbaz Sharif over the phone and congratulated him on becoming the new prime minister of Pakistan and extended an invitation to Sharif to visit the kingdom at an early date.
Sharif, 70, the younger brother of former premier Nawaz Sharif, was elected as prime minister on April 11, following a week-long constitutional crisis after parliament ousted Imran Khan in a no-confidence vote.
Sharif is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia next week.
New parliament speaker calls for closer ties with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s ‘selfless friend’
https://arab.news/jjspe
New parliament speaker calls for closer ties with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s ‘selfless friend’
- Statement came after Raja Pervaiz Ashraf’s meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Bin Said Al-Malki
- Pakistan attaches immense importance to its time-tested and all-weather friendship, the speaker says
Pakistan to discuss regional issues, economic ties at UAE summit this week
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar to attend Sir Bani Yas Forum from Dec. 12-14, says Pakistan foreign office
- Senior statemen, policymakers expected to discuss security and economic cooperation at summit
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will attend the Sir Bani Yas Forum in the UAE from Dec. 12-14 to discuss regional issues with world leaders and explore economic partnerships, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
The three-day summit features senior statesmen, policymakers and global experts from around the world with discussions likely to revolve around key regional and international issues such as peace, security and economic cooperation.
Dar, who is also Pakistan’s foreign minister, attended the 15th edition of the Bani Yas Forum last year. He is attending this year’s summit at the invitation of his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the foreign office said.
“During the Forum, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister will engage with international leaders and experts on matters related to regional stability, sustainable development, and the expansion of economic partnerships,” the statement said.
“He will also present Pakistan’s perspectives on promoting dialogue, addressing regional challenges, and fostering enhanced opportunities for economic cooperation.”
The Forum is expected to feature important discussions on Israel’s war in Gaza and the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East.
Pakistan has consistently criticized Israel for violating the ceasefire in Gaza and has called on the international community to intervene and ensure the fragile agreement does not collapse.
Islamabad has also been eyeing economic partnerships with regional allies, particularly Gulf countries, at such global summits in recent months.
It has entered into economic, defense, trade and investment agreements with traditional allies such as China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Central Asian states in recent months.
