Volatile situation in IOJ&K demands sagacious response from Muslim Ummah: Sadiq Sanjrani

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani said that recent volatile situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) required a joint and sagacious response from Muslim Ummah as Indian government under the leadership of Narendra Modi was involved in crimes against humanity in the occupied valley.

He stated this while exchanging views with Saudi Deputy Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Saleh Al-Modaifer, who is leading an 18-member delegation of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan.

The chairman said that Modi’s recent actions were totally unconstitutional, illegal and contrary to the international laws as he unilaterally altered the status of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the acts would prove detrimental to regional peace and stability.

“ Fear and uncertainty prevails in the occupied valley as the whole area is under curfew since 5th of August creating severe shortage of food, medicines and other basic necessities of life, ” Sanjrani mentioned.

He said that women, children and elderly people were the worst victims of continuous barbaric policies of India in IOJ&K, however, Kashmiris showed their strength by standing against the Indian brutalities. He said that global community has to set aside the traditional approach and has to act proactively instead of becoming a silent spectator.

He called for resolving the conflict in a peaceful manner in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people and ensuring implementation of relevant UN resolutions.

He also urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries to play their role for resolution of Kashmir issue. During the meeting, Saudi Arabian delegation expressed its keen interest for exploring more avenues for investment as there was huge potential for trade and economic activities in Pakistan.

The chairman Senate observed that mutual trust and confidence had been witnessed in the decades’ long friendship between the two sides. Sanjrani considered the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman highly important as it has helped in laying the foundation for a new era of cooperation.

The chairman said that Saudi investment has helped in rejuvenating the confidence of international community in Pakistan. He further said the recent high level reciprocal visits would usher in a new era of economic cooperation.

He called for developing an institutional mechanism and legal framework for better institutional collaboration. Sanjrani said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were intertwined into a relationship having its basis in religious, social, cultural and historical commonalities.

Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council thanked Senate Chairman and members of the Senate for warm welcome. He said that Saudi Arabia accorded high importance to its relations with Pakistan. He said that mutual exchange of frequent delegations would further boost the linkages between the two countries.

He agreed on enhancing institutional cooperation between Senate and the Shura Council. The members of the visiting delegation while talking on the occasion said that Saudi Arabia was very keen to benefit from the economic prospects being offered by future economic hub of the region and they were willing to invest in Gwadar.

The chairman Senate observed that Pakistan and particularly Baluchistan were blessed with natural resources. Saudi investors can explore opportunities for investment in mining sector and can also initiate joint ventures in other projects for mutual benefit of the people.

Regarding parliamentary interactions, the chairman Senate emphasized the need for further promotion of mutual cooperation with primary focus on enhancement of institutional engagements and exchange programs for the capacity building of parliamentary staffers.

He proposed the signing of MoU between Senate and the Shura Council for building strong institutional linkages.

Chairman Senate apprised the delegation about the establishment of a parliamentarians’ forum across the globe, named International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC) being setup by the Senate of Pakistan to initiate a political discourse across continents and regions based on cooperation, understanding and mutual respect.

IPC is the brain-child of Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani and meant to bring together parliamentarians to implement ideas of peace, prosperity and progress through dialogue and sharing of parliamentary experiences.

Leader of the delegation Khalid Saleh Al-Modaifer, Deputy Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources said that Pakistan was an important country for Saudi Arabia and both countries have identical views on different issues.

The head of the delegation thanked the Chairman Senate for warm welcome and expressed the hope that the visit would prove fruitful for cementing a long lasting, mutually beneficial and meaningful bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Senate Chief also hosted a reception in the honour of delegation.