ISLAMABAD: Senate Chair­man Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari emphasised on Friday that Pakistan and Sweden needed to strengthen political contacts and economic cooperation for mutual benefit of the two countries.

He expressed these views during a meeting with Speaker of Riksdag (Swedish Parliament), Urban Ahlin, in Stockholm.

The Senate chairman at the head of a five-member delegation is on a visit to Sweden on the invitation of Swedish Parliament Speaker.

Mr Bokhari underscored the need for enhanced bilateral trade between the two sides and observed that there was dire need to institutionalise the relationship through regular consultations and exchange of high-level visits in different fields.

He proposed to explore new avenues of cooperation to take the current level of trade to its fullest potential, said a message received here on Friday.

Matters relating to the regional situation, especially Pakistan-India ties, Kashmir problem, Afghanistan and the issue of terrorism, also came under discussion.

The Senate chairman said that Pakistan strongly believes in peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with UNSC resolutions and in line with aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

He said Pakistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and the country was itself the biggest victim of this menace.

He said that a stable Afghanistan was in the best interest of Pakistan and that Islamabad had consistently supported a peaceful democratic transition in Kabul.

Both sides also discussed the working of their respective parliaments, especially focusing on the role of women lawmakers in legislation and policy making.

The Swedish Parliament Speaker appreciated remarks of the chairman and recognised Pakistan’s efforts in war against terrorism. He agreed to the stance adopted by Pakistan on the Kashmir issue that it could only be solved through talks.

He said there was vast scope for cooperation between the two countries in different sectors.

The Senate delegation also held a meeting with Committee on Foreign Affairs in which matters of bilateral significance, regional and global situation came under discussion.

Published in Dawn, October 25th , 2014