Like Muslims all over the world, the people of Pakistan too are irresistibly drawn towards Saudi Arabia, the Holy Land where Islam was born, and host to the two holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina, the destination of Muslims pilgrims from across the world. – Senator Sehar Kamran (TI), Convener of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Friendship Group
The Convener of Senate Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Friendship Group, Senator Sehar Kamran (TI) warmly welcomed the Saudi Ambassador H.E. Mr. Abdullah Al-Zahrani while presiding over the second meeting of the Friendship Group. She stated that ‘Pakistan since its inception as an independent state has always cherished the goal of establishing cordial relations with the Islamic world in general and with Saudi Arabia, in specific’. ‘The bilateral relations including the defence cooperation between the two countries are exemplary’, she added. The relation between the two countries is based on mutual trust and respect and people of Pakistan have special reverence for the holy land.
She further said that Saudi Arabia has always stood with Pakistan at all difficult times and has supported Pakistan on all diplomatic fronts including support on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir. Similarly, Pakistan has played an extraordinary role in the development of Saudi forces in addition to assuring the external security of the Kingdom. She highlighted that a Pakistani diaspora of over two million resides in Saudi Arabia, and has played a pivotal role in the development of Kingdom, helping KSA attain the stature it has today.
Senator Sehar Kamran said it is beyond doubt that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share similarities in their identity, perception and perspective on various national and international issues. Based on the vast common grounds shared between the two, there should be an increased interaction between the parliamentarians and stakeholders of the two countries.
The Convener of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Friendship Group Senator Sehar Kamran stated that the focus of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Friendship Group is on three core points: to strengthen inter-parliamentary relations; promote people-to-people contact by utilizing different avenues for interaction; and, increase cooperation in the field of education and culture.
H.E. Mr Abdullah Al-Zahrani, the Saudi Envoy to Pakistan began his remarks by appreciating the role of the Convener of Pakistan-KSA Friendship Group Senator Sehar Kamran and the Friendship Group. He said that he was honored to have been invited to meet the friendship group and thanked the Convener as well as the Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani and Senate of Pakistan for the opportunity.
The Saudi Envoy said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are ‘one nation’ who share same history, and culture. Pakistanis have made significant contributions in the fields of military and air defense in Saudi Arabia, and have also been working as doctors, engineers and educationists there. This special relationship between Pakistan-KSA, has transformed into a strategic partnership, and we must diversify this partnership to the field of politics and economy, he added. He said we must work to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
The members of the committee appreciated the role of the Convener of Pakistan-KSA Friendship Group, Senator Sehar Kamran, and also expressed their gratitude to H.E. Mr Abdullah Al-Zahrani for taking time out of his busy schedule and to come address the Friendship Group.
In the end, Senator Sehar Kamran concluded the meeting by reiterating the importance of Pakistan-KSA relations. She said the people of the two countries have one heart and soul. On behalf of the committee, she thanked the Saudi Ambassador.
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