ISLAMABAD: Minister of State and BISP Chairperson MNA Marvi Memon received the Speaker’s Democracy Award from the Speaker of the House Of Commons John Bercow in Speaker House in London. She won this prestigious award after nomination by Alex Salmond in a tough competition with excellent nominations from all across the globe.
Speaker’s Democracy Award is an internationally focused award which aims to celebrate individuals, who through their leadership and personal courage have made an outstanding contribution to the development of democratic societies.
John Bercow welcomed Memon to Speaker’s House. In his welcome note, he said that this was an auspicious occasion, the first of its kind, to honour an individual who has contributed to advancement of democratic values by facilitating better democracy and superior citizenship in hostile climate. He said that for this award, world renowned nominations were received and they chose the best qualified and most deserving Marvi Memon as she has displayed an extraordinary resolve and fixity of purpose. He appreciated Memon’s contribution towards gender equality, poverty reduction, child nutrition and democratic advancement in Pakistan. He appreciated her efforts of putting her people first and having a commitment to others before herself.
Speaking on the occasion, Marvi Memon said that democracy is our culture and our tradition. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan won us freedom through democratic means, she said. Pakistan has indeed come a long way in its struggle for establishing a sustainable version of democracy and it was a privilege for her to become a part of this struggle and especially for empowering the most vulnerable women of Pakistan.
Memon thanked the Honorable Speaker of the House of Commons and the judging panel. She dedicated the award to Pakistan, her party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), her leader Nawaz Sharif, her family, all those who created BISP, and most importantly the most vulnerable families and women of Pakistan.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif congratulated Marvi Memon from London when he learnt of the award and said that Marvi had made Pakistan proud.
In a congratulatory message, National Assembly of Pakistan Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has facilitated Marvi Memon on bagging the prestigious award. He said that Memon rightfully deserved the award as she brought social change and women empowerment by dynamising BISP through her dedication and unwavering efforts. This recognition is not an individual honour but a matter of great pride for the National Assembly of Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Muhammad Asif congratulated her on this great achievement and said that this is not only recognition for her services as an individual but an international recognition of Pakistan’s struggle for democracy.
