ISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has underlined the need for forging unity amongst Muslim Ummah to confront the challenges of terrorism and extremism.
He said that Muslims should rectify the distorted image of Islam which was being projected by the extremists. He said that while talking to Dr. Omar Al-Berzinji, Under Secretary for legal affairs and multilateral relations, Republic of Iraq in Parliament House, this evening.
The Speaker said that Islam is religion of peace and abhors terrorism and extremism in its all forms and manifestations. He said that western negative propaganda has distorted the image of Islam and presented it as an intolerant and violent religion.
He asserted that terrorists neither have any nationality nor religion. He informed the visiting dignitary about his efforts for bringing Muslim Ummah together through parliamentary diplomacy. He said that he was in contact with Muslim members of the Inter Parliamentary Union for bringing a resolution condemning Israeli atrocities committed against innocent Palestinians in its next meeting being held early next year.
The Speaker said that Pakistan has been fighting against terrorism and extremism for more than a decade and has suffered immense economic loss besides loss of precious human lives and damage to infrastructure.
He said that present government is committed to root out this menace from the country for which military operation was underway and would last till extermination of last terrorist.
Referring to its brotherly ties with Iraq, the Speaker said that Pakistan attaches immense importance to its historic relations with Iraq that are deep rooted in religion, history and culture.
He said that government and the Parliament of Pakistan stand firm with their Iraqi brethren in war against terrorism and offer its support for the reconstruction initiatives in Iraq.
He also apprised the dignitary about the constitution of Pakistan-Iraq Parliamentary Friendship Group in National Assembly terming it an effective way to bring both the nations specially parliaments more closer.
Dr. Omar Al-Berzinji expressed his gratitude to the Speaker for his remarks and said that Iraq also attaches immense importance to its relations with Pakistan and desires to further consolidate them through parliamentary and economic cooperation. He agreed that dispelling negative propaganda against Islam should be the priority of Muslim Ummah and assured his government’s support in that regard.
He also agreed for enhancing parliamentary contacts between legislatures of both the countries.
Apprising about the law and order situation in Iraq, Dr. Omar Al-Berzinji said that Iraqi forces were steadily moving ahead and reclaiming territories from the occupation of terrorists. He said that Iraqi government has drawn up a compressive strategy to revive its economy and rebuilt infrastructure. He said that his government was keen for importing Pakistani trained human resource to take part in reconstruction process in Iraq.
He also invited Pakistani investors and business community to take advantage of investment opportunities in Iraq. NNI
