Expressing his concern on the recent surge in atrocities by Israeli forces on Palestinians, Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Friday said that the situation in Al-Quds warrants attention of the international community.
He said that Palestinians were subjected to worst human rights abuses. He called for joint efforts by Muslim Ummah to address the issue. The Speaker said this while talking to Iranian Ambassador Sayed Mohammad Ali Hosseini who called on him in Parliament House, this afternoon.
The Speaker said that Pakistan and Iran are not only sharing borders but are bound together by everlasting ties of culture, religion and brotherhood. He said that future and economic development of future generations of Pakistan and Iran are interlinked. He said that his party leadership attaches immense affection to Iran and had always posed for closer bilateral relations.
Responding to the message of felicitation from the Speaker of the Iranian Majlis, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that he was touched by this gesture of absolute kindness from the Iranian Speaker. He reiterated an invitation to his Iranian counterpart to visit Pakistan. He said that he strongly believed that parliamentary interactions could play a pivotal role in being nations together. He said that his visit would be a milestone ahead in cementing Pak-Iran relations.
Conveying warm greetings from the Iranian leadership and the people of Iran, the Ambassador Sayed Mohammad Ali Hosseini said that Pakistan and Iran had always been forthcoming in extending diplomatic and political support to each other. He said Iran and Pakistan were tied in eternal bonds of religion, culture, history and friendship. The Ambassador said that Iran was a major trading partner of Pakistan however bilateral trade could further be expanded by reduction in tariffs. He apprised that Iran was supplying 104 MW of electricity to Pakistan which could be further enhanced in order to supplement Pakistan’s efforts in meeting power requirements. He informed that Iranian government had eased visa restrictions for tourists who can visit Iran and see the rich cultural and historic heritage. He supported the idea of boosting parliamentary relations through exchange of delegations.