Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said cooperation between Iran and Pakistan can and should help establish peace and stability in the region. He made the remark in a phone talk with the newly-elected Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly Assad Qaisar on Thursday, Mehr News Agency reported. Larijani congratulated Qaisar on his appointment as seaker of the Pakistan’s National Assembly and welcomed closer parliamentary ties between the two neighbors.Qaisar touched upon the long history of two-way cultural and religious ties and highlighted the need to enhance cooperation between the two parliaments. He emphasized the role of closer bonds among Islamic countries, adding that Pakistan supports any measure that will help reinforce unity among the Ummah. Asad Qaiser, who hails from the ruling party Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI), on August 15 secured 176 votes in the legislature to defeat Khusheed Shah, a joint candidate backed by opposition parties who received 146 votes.
PTI leader Imran Khan, a former cricket star turned politician, became prime minister when the 342-seat National Assembly votes on August 17. A swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for August 18.
