ISLAMABAD, Friday, July 10, 2026 (WNP): Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL), Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, on Friday reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations, promoting unity of the Muslim Ummah, advancing global peace and enhancing inter-parliamentary cooperation during a high-level meeting at Parliament House.

Dr. Al-Issa, who is also Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, called on the Chairman Senate while leading a high-level delegation of the Muslim World League. The meeting focused on Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations, parliamentary diplomacy, Muslim unity, interfaith harmony, regional developments, trade, investment and international peace.

Welcoming the delegation, Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan attached the highest importance to its historic, fraternal, religious and cultural relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, describing the bond between the two countries as one founded on shared faith, mutual trust and enduring cooperation.

He said Saudi Arabia had consistently stood by Pakistan during challenging times and expressed confidence that the strategic partnership would continue to expand across political, economic and people-to-people dimensions.

The Senate chairman paid tribute to the Pakistani diaspora in Saudi Arabia, describing it as a vital bridge between the two brotherly nations whose professionalism and dedication had contributed significantly to the Kingdom’s development while projecting a positive image of Pakistan.

Highlighting the vast potential for deeper economic engagement, Gilani stressed the need to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, energy and sustainable economic development. Recalling his official visits to Saudi Arabia as Speaker of the National Assembly, Prime Minister and Chairman Senate, he said those engagements had paved the way for broader collaboration across multiple sectors.

He reaffirmed that the people of Pakistan held the Two Holy Mosques in the highest reverence, describing Makkah and Madinah as the spiritual heart of the Muslim Ummah.

The Senate chairman commended the Muslim World League for its global efforts in promoting moderation, Muslim unity, interfaith dialogue, combating Islamophobia and advancing humanitarian initiatives. He said the challenges confronting the Muslim world required greater unity, coordinated strategies, stronger diplomacy and enhanced parliamentary cooperation.

Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution, Gilani said the country would continue playing a constructive role in promoting regional stability, international peace and mutual respect.

He also emphasized the importance of strengthening parliamentary diplomacy, diplomatic engagement, trade, investment, youth empowerment, scientific research and educational cooperation among Muslim countries. Referring to the recent Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference held in Islamabad, he described it as a significant milestone in strengthening parliamentary collaboration across the Muslim world.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa thanked Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for the warm welcome and praised Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting peace and safeguarding the interests of the Muslim Ummah.

He described Pakistan as a respected and influential brotherly country that had consistently contributed to regional and international peace through responsible diplomacy and constructive engagement.

Dr. Al-Issa also appreciated the atmosphere of religious harmony, brotherhood and mutual respect in Pakistan, saying the country’s commitment to moderation and peaceful diplomacy had earned it a distinguished position within the international community.

He particularly commended Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in helping reduce recent tensions between Iran and the United States by encouraging dialogue and facilitating negotiations, describing the initiative as a significant diplomatic achievement recognized internationally and one that had enhanced the prestige of both Pakistan and the wider Muslim world.

The MWL Secretary General said Pakistan had demonstrated that Muslim nations stood for peace, moderation, tolerance and coexistence rather than extremism, adding that Saudi Arabia and the broader Muslim world took pride in Pakistan’s successful diplomatic initiatives.

He further stressed that addressing contemporary global challenges required stronger international cooperation, collective strategies and effective global leadership, while calling for a more active and meaningful role by the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations, expanding cooperation between Pakistan and the Muslim World League, enhancing inter-parliamentary engagement and promoting the shared interests of the Muslim Ummah.

Senators Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, Barrister Hamid Khan, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Niazi, Mishal Azam, Nasir Mehmood Butt, Shahdat Awan, Hidayatullah Khan, Amir Waliuddin Chishti, Hafiz Abdul Karim, Alhajj Muhammad Umer Gorgaij, Jan Muhammad, Atta ul Haq and Abdul Qadir, along with Advisor to the Chairman Senate Misbah Khar, also attended the meeting.