President Zardari hailed the Muslim World League’s efforts for unity and moderation, reaffirming Pakistan’s support for Palestine and deepening ties with Saudi Arabia.
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari met with Dr Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, in Islamabad and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening unity and cooperation within the Muslim world. The meeting underscored a shared vision for moderation, tolerance, and collaborative progress among Muslim nations.
President Zardari extended his warm wishes to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, acknowledging Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in promoting stability and leadership across the Islamic world. He commended Dr Al-Issa’s efforts through the Muslim World League to combat extremism, counter Islamophobia, and encourage interfaith dialogue at a global level.
The president praised the League’s recent initiative to host an international conference on girls’ education, describing it as a commendable step toward empowering women and advancing social reform within Muslim societies. He said the proposed agreement between Pakistan and the Muslim World League would pave the way for cooperation in areas such as health, education, and humanitarian assistance—key priorities for sustainable development across the region.
Touching on international concerns, President Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. He stressed that any meaningful peace effort in the Middle East must include an enduring ceasefire, Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories, and the reconstruction of Gaza. “True peace will only be possible when justice and dignity are restored to the Palestinian people,” he said.
President Zardari highlighted the deep-rooted and historic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, calling them a relationship founded on mutual respect, faith, and shared aspirations. He said the Crown Prince’s forthcoming visit to Pakistan would further consolidate cooperation in trade, energy, and security, opening new avenues for partnership between the two nations.
Dr Al-Issa, in response, said that Saudi Arabia regarded its friendship with Pakistan as a bond of pride and trust that had strengthened with time. He lauded President Zardari’s political career as inspiring and praised his role in carrying forward the democratic legacy of the late Benazir Bhutto.
He also welcomed the recent defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, describing it as a reflection of mutual confidence and strategic alignment. Both leaders agreed that the Muslim World League and Pakistan could work together to promote unity, dialogue, and humanitarian progress across the Islamic world.
