Pakistan wants peaceful settlement of Yemen issue, says Rabbani
* Senate chairman says division on sectarian basis is dangerous for unity of Muslim Ummah

ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani on Thursday said that Pakistan strongly believed in a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the situation in Yemen.

He expressed these views in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Mohammad Javad Zarif at the Parliament House.

During the meeting, the Senate chairman remarked that Pakistan highly cherished its relationship with Iran and there was a dire need to further strengthen the existing ties. He also underscored the need for enhancement of trade links and parliamentary linkages, as the relationship between the two countries is multifaceted.

Rabbani felicitated the Iranian foreign minister on the recent progress in Iran’s talks with the US on its (Iran’s) nuclear programme and appreciated him for his efforts in this regard. He said that it would open new vistas of bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Iran and help build better trade relations especially in pushing forward the Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline project as a result of lifting of sanctions against Tehran.

Regarding the Yemen crisis, he observed that the issue was being debated in the Parliament and exhaustive discussions were taking place and the government would go by the decision of the House in this regard. He further stated that the divide on sectarian basis was dangerous for the unity of Muslim ummah and it would only benefit the imperialist and neo-colonialist mindset. He called for the unity of Muslim ummah to overcome the challenges faced at the regional and international levels.

Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Mohammad Javad Zarif thanked the Senate chairman for the warm welcome and said that both Pakistan and Iran are intertwined in historical and cultural links. He said that both the countries were faced with common challenges of extremism and joint efforts were required to root out the menace of terrorism. He also stressed the need for parliamentary exchanges to further promote people to people contacts. He also felicitated Rabbani on being elected as Senate Chairman.

Leader of the House in the Senate Raja Muhammad Zafarul Haq observed that both sides enjoyed friendly relations and the visit of the Iranian foreign minister would further give impetus to bilateral ties. Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Aitzaz Ahsan said that Pakistan and Iran have deep-rooted friendship between them and there exists consensus among all shades of opinion about special relationship with Iran.

The meeting was attended by Raja Muhammad Zafarul Haq, Ch Aitzaz Ahsan besides Senate Secretary Amjed Pervez Malik and others.

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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