Pakistan has taken necessary steps to ease the sufferings of earthquake victims and is determined to overcome this calamity with the support of the people and assistance of international community.
These views were expressed by the Speaker National Assembly Chaudhry Amir Hussain while talking to 17-member parliamentary delegation of Bangladesh who called on him here in the Parliament House.
The Speaker said that relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh would grow from strength to strength in the days to come and the visit of this parliamentary delegation would help in expansion of relations between the two countries. He said both the countries shared perceptions on all regional and international issues.
The Speaker said Islam is the religion of peace and tolerance and is against all kinds of terrorism and extremism. He urged the Muslim countries to make concerted efforts to project the true picture of Islam and to strengthen the OIC to project Islam in its true perspective.
The Speaker said that Pakistan believed in the peaceful resolution of all international disputes including Kashmir issue. He said that Pakistan has initiated composite dialogue with India and had shown enough flexibility in this regard. The resolution of the Kashmir dispute was necessary for peace and prosperity in the region he said and hoped that the leaders of the both countries would successfully resolve this issue.
The Speaker said that there should be greater interaction between parliamentarians of the two countries. He stressed the need for exchange of more delegations for strengthening relations between the two countries as well as enhancing the Saarc's global profile.
The Speaker apprised the delegation about the devastation caused by the October, 8 earthquake and also about relief activities by the people, NGOs, government and the international community. He expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Bangladesh for providing prompt relief assistance to the victims of earthquake in AJK and NWFP.
The Speaker also apprised the delegation about the working of democratic institutions in Pakistan at national, provincial and grassroots levels. He said that democratic institutions at the grassroots level has ensured peoples empowerment and their participation in the developmental activities.
Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, the leader of Bangladesh parliamentary delegation, said that the mutual exchanges of parliamentary delegations of both the countries and their head of states would help strengthening of relations. He said there was a wide scope of expansion of trade and investment between the two countries. He underlined the need for utilising the available opportunities for the uplift of the people of both countries.
The leader of the delegation appreciated the government and the people of Pakistan for their prompt and befitting response to the earthquake of October 8, 2005. He assured that Bangladesh would continue assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas of AJK and NWFP.
The leader of the delegation thanked the Speaker for the warm hospitality extended to him and the delegation members.