The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, said that there was tremendous potential for trade and commerce between Pakistan and Iraq and the two countries needed to fully invest it for mutual benefit, said an official press release. While talking to the Iraqi Assembly Speaker Osama Abdul Aziz Al-Nujaifi who called on him at PM House, Sharif expressed hope his visit would provide new impetus to parliamentary relations between the two countries. The premier said that a stable and united Iraq was in the interest of the Iraqi people, the region, and international peace and security. The premier further said that Pakistan and Iraq enjoyed friendly relations and Pakistan welcomed the lifting of sanctions on Iraq by the United Nations Security Council. He expressed wishes for peace, prosperity, and stability of Iraq. The Speaker of the National Assembly of Iraq thanked the Prime Minister for the warm hospitality extended to him and expressed the hope that parliamentary relations between the two countries would be further strengthened.