Shii visits Pakistani parliament and talks with National Assembly deputy speaker

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Shii visits Pakistani parliament and talks with National Assembly deputy speaker

The Japanese Communist Party delegation to Pakistan led by Chair Shii Kazuo on September 19 had talks with Pakistani National Assembly Deputy Speaker Sadar Muhammad Yaqub Khan and exchanged views with members of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee in the Parliament building.

Shii greeted the National Assembly deputy speaker and other parliament members by saying, "Peace to you" in Urdu.

Shii stated, "I think this greeting shows that Islam is the religion of peace, tolerance, and equality. It has in common values of the type of society the JCP is aiming for."

Shii explained that he agreed with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on a world order for peace, ways to eradicate terrorism, and the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Yaqub stated, "It is wrong to link terrorism and a specific religion. Your remarks show a deep understanding of Islam."

At the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee, Chair Farook Sattar introduced the JCP delegation. Shii answered committee members' questions regarding the JCP's policies and activities in the developed capitalist country, including questions regarding the party's finance, affiliation with grassroots movements, and the party's position on the emperor system.

Some committee members expressed their appreciation to the JCP's firm opposition to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.

As a party of the only nuclear-bombed country, Shii called for efforts aiming at the global elimination of nuclear weapons. In response to this, a committee member said, "I totally agree." Another member said that a theatrical performance in Urdu regarding Hiroshima will open soon in Islamabad.

The JCP delegation also sat in on the Senate plenary session, and was introduced by the chairman.
- Akahata, September 20, 2006