Islamabad, January 16, 2023 (PPI-OT):Raja Pervez Ashraf, Speaker of the Pakistani National Assembly, stated today that Belgium and Pakistan had warm relations based on a common commitment to democracy, pluralism, and trust. Pakistan had consistently demonstrated its readiness and commitment to upholding both its constitutional and international commitments for a more secure, environmentally friendly, peaceful, and progressive world. According to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision, Pakistan had always supported the peaceful and diplomatic settlement of all international problems. He made these remarks while speaking with Belgian legislative representatives during a meeting in Parliament, today.
The parliamentary delegation from Belgium Parliamentary Delegation comprised of Ms. Allessia Claes, Senator /Chairperson of the Belgium-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mr. Karl Vanlourve, State Senator Mr. Philippe Courard, PS, State Senator, Mr. Georges Dallemagne, Les Engages, Member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives and Senior officers of Belgium Parliament has come to Pakistan on a week-long visit at the special invitation of the Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf. The visit was intended to further promote parliamentary cooperation between the two sides in a bid to provide all necessary support to maximize gains in trade and promote people-to-people contacts.
The Speaker stated that Pakistan was in favour of a peaceful resolution to all problems in response to a query concerning the continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, from one of the visiting delegates. We had learned from history and our own experience that the only way to achieve enduring peace was via communication. Instead of concentrating all of its efforts on bringing about peace in just one area, the world should do its share to resolve other ongoing conflicts, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir being illegally occupied by India, with equal vigour. He emphasised that parliaments may play a significant part in educating the populace about the urgent need for a new world order based on shared ideals of democracy and equality for everyone.
The Speaker also emphasised Pakistan’s desire to advance its blue economy with the help of the EU and its technical and financial support. Despite producing less than 1% of the world’s greenhouse gases, he highlighted that Pakistan was at the epicentre of the global climate issue. He went on to explain that the nation had been experiencing extreme weather conditions, including droughts, forest fires, intense and protracted heat waves, and extraordinary and prolonged monsoon rains that caused devastating floods.
Ms. Allessi Claes thanked the Speaker profusely for the invitation and offered sympathy for the flood victims. She underlined the importance of letting the world know the real narrative of Pakistan, which battled valiantly against all odds to become a stable, tranquil, and peaceful nation. She and her colleagues would unquestionably serve as Pakistan’s ambassadors in Europe and work to promote the nation as much as possible.
The meeting between the visiting delegation and the National Assembly’s Pakistan-Belgium Parliamentary Friendship Group earlier today was quite fruitful. The meeting was significant because it covered a wide range of topics, including human rights, terrorism, and climate change. It also addressed how both parties could work together and make their economic contributions to further improve bilateral and regional trade through ongoing facilitation and cooperation through their respective parliaments. Both parties highlighted the importance of PFGs meeting on a regular basis, both in person and online, to follow up on the topics discussed during the meeting.
Later in the day, the delegation also paid a visit to the Women Parliamentary Caucus, where they were informed about the steps the Caucus had taken to empower Pakistani women through appropriate legislation and to use its influence to ensure that the country’s existing laws were implemented aptly for the benefit of more than half of its population.
For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk