Islamabad: President Dr Arif Alvi has urged the Islamic countries to work together to change the perceptions of the world with regard to Islamophobia.
The President stated that Islamic countries were facing the challenges of terrorism and Islamophobia which could be overcome through close cooperation among them.
He made these remarks while talking to the visiting President of the Arab Parliament, Mr Adel bin Abdul Rahman Al-Asoomi, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, on Monday.
Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani was also present during the meeting.
Talking to the President of Arab Parliament, the President informed that the people of Pakistan had a natural affinity with the people of Arab countries, due to our shared bonds of common faith and culture.
He said that Pakistan attached great importance to its ties with the Middle Eastern countries and wanted to further strengthen relations with countries of the region in all areas of mutual interest. He added that Pakistan’s policy had shifted from Geo-politics to Geo-economics that focused on regional connectivity; development partnerships and socio-economic uplift, and peace within the region.
The President highlighted that Pakistan was making efforts to promote peace in the region, particularly in Afghanistan.
He also briefed the visiting dignitary about the measures taken by Pakistan against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The President apprised Adel bin Abdul Rahman Al-Asoomi about the apartheid policies of the Modi-led BJP Government in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), saying that India was involved in the ethnic cleansing of Muslims of IIOJK by changing the demography of Kashmir and reducing the Muslim population through the Citizenship Act.
He reiterated Pakistan’s support to the just cause of Palestinians and called for the establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous state of Palestine on the basis of internationally accepted parameters, with pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
The President of Arab Parliament said that Pakistan was an important country for the Arab world which had played a historical role in supporting the cause of Islamic Ummah.
He underlined the need to work closely by the Islamic world to meet the challenges being faced by the Islamic countries.
He also emphasized the need for exchanging delegations to further cement ties between Pakistan and the Arab world.
e said that the Arab Parliament supported Pakistan’s stance on IIOJK. He also thanked the Government of Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his stay in Pakistan.