ISLAMABAD: About a dozen Pakistani parliamentarians and journalists are in Riyadh to meet Saudi officials and attend the Saudi premier of a Pakistani film. They were also given a tour of, and briefed about the work of, the headquarters of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition.
The state-organized visit follows a meeting in October between Fawad Chaudhry, Pakistan’s federal minister for information and broadcasting, and Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, during which they discussed ways to boost cooperation in the fields of media and art.
In September, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Media Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad visited Islamabad and during a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart also talked about how the countries could enhance and diversify their relationship.
The Pakistani delegation met Al-Awwad on Sunday in Riyadh. Afterward, they highlighted the solid relations between the countries and “affirmed their stance with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against the current hostile media campaign,” according to the Saudi Press agency.
“We are here to attend the launch of the movie ‘Parwaz Hai Junoon’ and perform Umrah,” said Pakistani television journalist Arshad Sharif, who added that he was pleased with his experience in the capital and the hospitality the delegation had received.
He said that the delegation also met the Pakistani ambassador to Saudi Arabia, retired Vice Adm. Khan Hasham Bin Saddique, and toured the headquarters of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, which is commanded by Raheel Sharif, a former Pakistani army general.
“The delegation was briefed on IMCTC’s domains and initiatives in the fight against terrorism,” the coalition said in a message posted on Twitter.
During a TV interview on Monday, Pakistani delegate Fareeha Idrees, a talk-show host, gave more details of the briefing at IMCTC, which has 41 member countries and is the strategic nerve center for counterterrorism in the Middle East.
“IMCTC is a coalition of Muslim countries but non-Muslim states also engage in supporting the fight against terrorism,” Idrees said, quoting Raheel Sharif. “There are desks for each country, where strategies to combat all forms of terrorism are being worked on.”
