A 17-member Indian parliamentary delegation, headed by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, visited Punjab Assembly on Friday. Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal greeted the delegation. Speaking on the occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar expressed good wishes for progress and well-being of Pakistan and its people.
She said it is a historical occasion for her, as she was the first Indian Speaker to visit Pakistan. She also said the people of Pakistan have great love and affection for the people of India and added that the people of India have sincere feelings and best wishes for the Pakistani people. "Parliamentary exchanges will bring the peoples of both the countries closer. The two countries should understand the problems and work for their solution, jointly. Both the countries should also overcome terrorism and illiteracy," she added.
Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan said external interference cannot be tolerated in the internal affairs of our country. He said all issues should be redressed through dialogue. "We want peace in the world; however, we cannot compromise on integrity and solidarity of the country," he added.
He said Pakistan and India should fight poverty and unemployment, as these are the common problems of the people, on both sides. He was of the view that talks are vital for bright future of the peoples of both the countries. "Parliamentary delegations of the two countries should discuss all the issues while maintaining respect for each other. The two countries can benefit from the expertise of each other in industry, trade, information and technology, agriculture, livestock and other fields of life," he added. Later, the delegation visited the House.