An Arab parliamentary delegation led by Arab Parliament President Adil bin Abdul Rahman Monday called on Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi at Foreign Office, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Mr Qureshi said that Arab Parliament is an important institution of the League of Arab and Pakistan's deep affiliation with the Arab countries is based on equal religious, cultural and historical values.

“Pakistan's Arab Parliament has deep bilateral relations with member countries and Pakistan always enjoys deep bilateral relations with the Middle East countries as a large number of Pakistanis reside in the Middle East,” he added.

Mr Qureshi said, “Pakistan wants peace and stability in the Middle East. As a founding member of the OIC, we are committed to play a positive role in the Unity of Ummah. When I was on an official visit to Egypt, I got the opportunity to visit Arab League Headquarters and met with their leadership and exchanged views with them.”

“Pakistan considers negotiations as the only way for long-lasting political solutions to the conflicts.” 

The Foreign Minister informed the Arab Parliamentary delegation about the features of Pakistan's economic priorities. “Our economic priorities include promoting connections, partnership in construction and development, economic and social evolution, and efforts for peace and stability. Pakistan considers just settlement to Palestine issue for the peace in the Middle East,” Mr Qureshi added.

He also apprised the delegation of the dangers of the region's peace due to serious human rights violations in the Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Indian policies. He said it is necessary that the global community strongly condemn the one-sided, unconstitutional measures of August 5 taken by the Indian government. 

“Pakistan sought peaceful resolution of Palestine and Kashmir issues in the light of UN Security Council resolutions,” Mr Qureshi said adding that the visit of Arab Parliamentary delegation would prove to be an important milestone in promoting the bilateral parliamentary relations.