ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: Pakistan and Japan share the same perception on global issues and have a common desire for peace and stability in the region and the world.

This was stated by National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain while talking to a five-member parliamentary delegation of Japan which called on him at the Parliament House on Saturday.

The Japanese delegation was led by Akihiro Ota, acting secretary-general of New Komeito, a member party of Japan’s ruling coalition.

The National Assembly speaker said Japan was a leading economic force of the Asian continent and it could help developing economies like Pakistan in expediting their development.

He said Japan had a vast experience of combating calamities like earthquakes and Pakistan wanted to benefit from the expertise and technologies of Japan for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the earthquake affected areas and its people.

Mr Hussain said the entire nation was grateful for the assistance by the Japanese government for the quake-hit areas.

He also apprised the Japanese delegation of the government’s efforts to curb extremism and terrorism. He underlined the need for eliminating the root cause of terrorism.

Apprising the Japanese delegation of Pakistan’s efforts to establish peace in the region, the speaker said Pakistan was a peace loving country and wanted to settle the Kashmir issue peacefully in accordance with the UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

He stressed the need for greater exchange of parliamentarians between the two countries for strengthening of economic ties.

Speaking on the occasion, Akihiro Ota said Japan had already granted $200 million to Pakistan for rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the quake affected areas, adding that the support would continue as long as it was needed.