February 4, 2006	Saturday	Muharram 5, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Feb 3: Prim Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Friday Pakistan supported the idea of setting up ‘Dead Sea Forum’ for economic cooperation among Muslim countries.

He was talking to Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Secretary-General Aqeel A. Al-Jaseem who paid a farewell call on the premier at the Prime Minister’s House.

Mr Aziz said that Pakistan would like to see the early implementation of this idea. He proposed that Muslim countries should pool their resources and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation for a more developed and prosperous Islamic world.

He said the ICCI could provide a platform and play the role of a catalyst in undertaking joint collaboration projects. He said that an enhanced cooperation in Muslim countries by helping Muslim world get out of the vicious circle of poverty and deprivation and strengthening of Muslim Ummah would contribute to peace and stability in the world.

Aqeel Al-Jaseem said that as a result of the reforms process, Pakistan had undergone a major change during the past few years and it was now a land of many opportunities.

He said tourism and trade potential of Pakistan remained under publicized and Pakistan should arrange more exhibitions of its products in foreign countries.