JEDDAH, July 24: Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have identical views on regional and international issues and their bilateral ties are fast progressing in every field.

In an interview to Jeddah-based Urdu News published on Saturday, he said that commonality of views between the two countries reaffirmed the time-tested character of their relationship.

He said Pakistan greatly valued its friendship with the kingdom.

Referring to domestic politics, the prime minister said the Pakistan Muslim League believed in the politics of tolerance and accommodation, adding that the government was ready to take along the opposition "if it kept the national interests supreme".

"In politics we listen to everyone and if someone comes up with a good suggestion we also try to implement it," he pointed out. He said his government was taking steps to strengthen democratic institutions.

Chaudhry Shujaat said he attached equal importance to every Pakistani and therefore as the prime minister he would try to resolve the problems of people no matter to which part of the country they belonged to.

However, the premier said, his government was particularly focusing on developing the under-developed areas and ensuring basic amenities of life at the doorstep of the common man.

He said adequate funds would be provided to elected representatives irrespective of their party affiliations and added that due importance would be given to the development schemes identified by them.

UMRAH: The prime minister and members of his entourage performed Umrah on Friday night. They had come to Makkah from Madinah where he had offered prayers at the Masjid-i-Nabvi.

The premier made special prayers for peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan.-APP