ISLAMABAD - Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has stressed the need to evolve broad-based bilateral parliamentary and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Niger for tapping immense economic potential in either side.
“The parliamentary cooperation would prove instrumental in bringing both the countries more closer,” Asad said this during his meeting with President of National Assembly of Niger Seini Oumarou in Parliament House here yesterday.
Seini Oumarou is on a visit to Pakistan along with a parliamentary delegation.
Speaker Asad Qaiser said that Pakistan believes in the collective pursuit of sustainable development in an envirnoment of peace and stability for all. He said that Pakistan’s policy shift from geo-politics to geo-economics centres around connectivity, development partnerships, socioeconomic uplift and peace within and beyond Pakistan’s borders.
He said that Pakistan believes that the Palestine and Kashmir issues were at heart of turmoil and conflicts in the world and the region.
Speaker Asad Qaiser appreciated the support Niger which had always extended to Pakistan at international parliamentary forums. He also acknowledged the outright support of Niger on Kashmir in meeting of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting held in Niamey. He said that atrocities on innocent Kashmiris were going on unabated.
President National Assembly of Niger Seini Oumarou, acknowledging the remarks of his Pakistani counterpart, said that political leadership and people of his country value their association with Pakistan. He said that strong desire exists to augment bilateral relation and cooperation, therefore, tangible steps have been initiated. He said that Niger would extend diplomatic support to Pakistan at all multilateral foras.
He agreed for intensifying parliamentary engagement through level of friendship groups.
Later, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between National Assembly of Pakistan and National Assembly of Niger to strengthen cooperation between both the legislatures.