The Senate on Wednesday extended a warm welcome with a standing ovation to Afghan parliamentary delegation while expressing their yearning for peace and stability in the region. Farooq H Neak, Chairman Senate requested the members to give a standing ovation to the visitors, paying homage for their commitment to overcome hiccups in relations between the two countries.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman said that 'the realisation of the fact that peace in one country is a harbinger of peace and well-being in the other is a good sign, adding that the credit of this change of hearts goes to the top leadership of both countries more specifically President Asif Ali Zardari and President Hamid Karzai.' When given opportunity, Salim Saifullah Khan of PML-Q requested the Chair to allow him speak in Pashto to which Farooq H Naek responded positively after reminding him that interpreter was not available and other members of the house may not be able to understand him.
Salim Saifullah of PML-Q, Haji Adeel of ANP and Abdul Rahim Khan Mandokhel from Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) were those who addressed the house in Pashto. Salim Saifullah said that Pakistan is also the country of Afghans, adding that Pashtuns who were also known as Afghans on other side of the border had always remained in majority in Senate of Pakistan.
He, as chairman of Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and head of PML-Q (like minded) assured full co-operation and support for better relations between the two nations and countries. PPP Secretary General Jahangir Badr on behalf of his party leadership and members welcomed the Afghan Parliamentarians and said that people to people contacts would further strengthened the relationship between the two countries. Professor Khursheed Ahmed of Jamat-e-Islami while welcoming the Afghan parliamentarians said that both the countries were fighting terrorism and expressed hope to save their people from the extremists.