Islamabad, September 07, 2022 (PPI-OT):Raja Pervez Ashraf, Speaker National Assembly has taken serious notice of malicious media campaign surrounding Parliamentary delegation’s recent visit to Canada in connection with the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC).

The Speaker has directed National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting to hold inquiry and expose elements involved in such uncalled-for and politically motivated propaganda.
Visit was undertaken with the intention of sensitizing international community about the dystopia effects of climate breakdown in Pakistan. The delegation successfully presented Pakistan’s case and received a very positive response from counter parliaments and general public.

However, some factions tried to sabotage Parliament’s diplomatic efforts via mudslinging and unfounded accusation based on their myopic view and inadequate as well as unverified information, which was totally in contrast to the factual position.

Allegation that the Speaker attended the CPC with a 25 member delegation was a farce and against ground realities. Pakistan was entitled to only 5 member delegation. Of these 5, two had been nominated by the Senate and three, including the Speaker were to come from National Assembly. However owing to sudden floods in her constituency, Dr. Nafisa Shah regretted her participation and hence he participated with only one member, namely Romina Khursheed Alam.

In addition to these two honourable parliamentarians, the Secretary National Assembly was participating in a side-line Conference of the “Society of Clerks and Secretaries of Parliament”.

Likewise, Additional Secretary Special Initiatives was invited by Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as Regional Secretary in recognition of his services for successfully hosting the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Asia Region’s Secretariat for 3 consecutive years. As the delegation was very limited in number, AS (SI) had to singlehandedly assist the entire delegation apart from performing his duties as Regional Secretary.

Besides, it was also flaunted that the delegation spent 1.6 million US dollar from national exchequer. However, the actual expenses would not more than a fraction of it. It is noteworthy that the Secretariat immediately issued a comprehensive statement on the matter to clear the air. Yet, some sections of the media continued to propagate false information to suffice their ulterior motives. Such anti-state activities warrant appropriate action in order to preserve the sanctity and inviolability of the supreme and most prestigious institute of the country.

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