ISLAMABAD: Acting Senate Chairman Saleem Mandviwala Wednesday said parliamentary diplomacy could play an active role in removing misconceptions and bringing people close of different countries for promotion of ideals of peace and sustainable development, besides inculcating democratic values required for growth and prosperity.

Mandviwala presided over a high level meeting of the Conveners of Parliamentary Friendship Groups for different countries in the Senate here at the Parliament House.

He said the friendship groups were highly important to strengthen bonds of friendship, expand scope of cooperation and foster closer relations with parliamentarians from different countries and regions of the world.

He said that the parliamentary friendship groups had some important responsibilities to deal with and contribute towards parliamentary diplomacy and bilateral and multilateral forums, foster bilateral cooperation and raise issues of national concerns with concerned countries and encourage strong parliamentary partnership.

The meeting was also attended by conveners of various friendship groups in the Senate.

The acting Senate chairman directed the Foreign Office to provide all possible assistance to the friendship groups to project and promote a soft image of Pakistan.