ISLAMABAD - Iraqi Ambassador to Pakistan Hamed Abbas Lafta yesterday called on senior Pakistan People’s Party leader Rehman Malik to exchange views on the Iraqi and the regional situation.
During the meeting, both the leaders exchanged views over the bilateral relations, regional situation, and the peace process in Iraq, present world political scenario, and matters of mutual interest, said a news release issued here.
Rehman Malik, a former Interior Minister, welcomed and extended best wishes to the ambassador and said that the bond of brotherly friendship between Iraq and Pakistan was very strong and Pakistan gives great importance to its relations with Iraq.
He expressed that Pakistan has always wanted to further strengthen the existing brotherly bond between the two countries. He said that Pakistan has always wanted peaceful and progressive Iraq being an important historical Muslim country that can play a vital role in creating an environment for Muslim unity which is the dire need of the time.
They both condemned the human rights violations across the world including Kashmir and urged there should be a solution to the Kashmir issue per the UNSC Resolutions.
Rehman Malik said that peace was the right of every country and peace must be restored in Iraq that it can progress. He also briefed the ambassador on the rise of Daesh and its spread.
Ambassador Hamed Abbas said that bilateral relations between Iraq and Pakistan are religious, historical, and deeply rooted. He expressed that Pakistan and Iraq have been great friends and Pakistan has always been supportive in various fields.
He said that both countries have always worked together with mutual benefits and there is no clash of interests between both countries. Ambassador Hamed Abbas highly commended Rehman Malik for his brave voice against extremism, terrorism, and human rights violations.
He said Rehman Malik’s book ‘Daesh-ISIS: Rising Monster World Wide’ was a comprehensive book in terms of knowledge and facts. He thanked Rehman Malik for the warm welcome and hospitality.
Rehman Malik presented a set of his five books including ‘Daesh-ISIS: Rising Monster World Wide’ and the ambassador highly appreciated his great intellectual and literary work.