JEDDAH, June 26: President General Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday he had held in-depth discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz on bolstering bilateral relationship and issues of common concern, including OIC restructuring, UNSC reforms, and counter-terrorism.

“We had a complete unanimity of views on a broad range of issues of common interest,” he told media-persons accompanying him on the visit.

Replying to a question, the president agreed with the Crown Prince’s remarks that terrorists were tarnishing the image of Islam and had no agenda to follow.

“They do not know the realities of the world and are living in a world of make-believe. They need to be crushed with force,” he said.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, he added, fully cooperated in the counter-terrorism effort.

On OIC reforms, the president said the restructuring of the organization should aim at socio-economic development of Muslim countries through greater trade and economic cooperation.

He said the OIC restructuring should promote better understanding, harmony and values of Islam within the Muslim world.

In response to a question, the president said OIC countries needed to focus on boosting trade among themselves.

Noting the dismal volume of trade among Muslim countries, he called for exploring opportunities for increased trade, joint ventures and investment.

On Pakistan-Saudi economic ties, he said the two countries envisioned greater scope for bilateral trade.

He expressed the hope that Saudi investors would avail themselves of the vast business opportunities and enabling environment of Pakistan.

The president described his talks with Saudi Crown Prince as extremely successful.

Later, President Musharraf arrived in Madinah Munawarah to pay respects at the Roza-i-Rasul.

Governor Mikram bin Abdul Aziz received the president at the airport.

On Saturday evening, the president performed Umrah and the doors of Baitullah were specially opened for him. Special prayers were offered for the progress, prosperity and wellbeing of the Pakistani nation and the solidarity of the Ummah. —APP