Parliamentary diplomacy to bring nations more closer: National Assembly Speaker

Islamabad, May 06, 2014 (PPI-OT): Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Chairman Council of Representatives, Kingdom of Bahrain H.E. Khalifa Bin Ahmad Al-Dhahrani agreed to further strengthen the warm relations between Pakistan and Bahrain through enhancing people-to-people and Parliamentary contacts. Both the leaders stressed need for bilateral relations to grow further.

The Bahraini parliamentary delegation led by H. E. Khalifa Bin Ahmad Al-Dhahrani is on a three day visit to Pakistan on the invitation of Speaker, National Assembly. The delegation visited Parliament House and witnessed the proceedings of the National Assembly. Later the delegation called on Speaker where both sides discussed the issues of mutual interest.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that Pakistan values its relations with Bahrain which are based on shared religious and historic cultural values. He remarked that a regular exchange of high level visits would play an important role in further strengthening of existing relations.

He also underscored the need for enhancing investment and economic cooperation between the two countries. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq called for greater cooperation in economic and manufacturing sectors for mutual benefits of both the countries.

The Speaker highlighted the efforts of the government of Pakistan to eliminate extremism and terrorism from the country. He credited the progressive forces in the Parliament for forging joint strategy to tackle this menace.

He also urged for the unity amongst Muslim Ummah to overcome the problems confronting it. He informed their counterpart about the formation of Pak-Bahrain Friendship Group in National Assembly of Pakistan. He said that interaction between parliamentarians of both the countries would improve the existing relations besides providing opportunities for exchanging views, sharing experiences and best practices.

Chairman Council of Representatives H.E. Khalifa Bin Ahmad Al-Dhahrani termed relations between the two sides as historic and unique. He appreciated the remarks of the Speaker and said that Bahrain considers Pakistan as its brother and wants to further cement the ties through rejuvenating parliamentary contacts and exploring possible avenues of economic cooperation.

He said that Bahrain strongly desires to see a prosperous, stable and economically vibrant Pakistan. He praised role of Pakistani expatriates in Bahrain’s economic activity. The Chairman also expressed that Bahrain will extend all-out support to its Pakistani brethren. He invited Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to visit Bahrain which he accepted. He agreed with the Speaker and said that unity amongst the ranks of Muslim Ummah would help to counter the problems.

Later, both the Leaders attended the meeting of Pak-Bahrain Friendship Group. They agreed that the interaction between parliamentarians from both sides should continue for exploring avenues of cooperation. It was also agreed that the discourse between the parliamentarians was the best way to share views, best practices, experiences.

The Speaker National Assembly along with the delegation offered Zuhr Prayers in the Parliament Mosque. The Speaker also hosted a lunch in honour of the Bahraini delegation which was attended by Ministers and Parliamentarians.

For more information, contact:
Karamat Hussain Niazi
Secretary
National Assembly of Pakistan
Parliament House, Islamabad
Tel: +9251 922 1082 -83
Fax: +9251 922 1106