ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that Pakistan highly values its relations with the United Kingdom (UK) and desires to strengthen the existing relations between the two countries through enhanced economic cooperation and parliamentary ties.
He expressed these views while talking to UK House Of Lords member Lord Malcolm Gray Bruce who called on the speaker here on Saturday. The speaker said that Pakistan attached great importance to its strategic partnership with the UK and both the countries have commonalities of views on regional and global issues.
The speaker said that Pakistan attached great importance to its strategic partnership with the UK and both the countries have commonalities of views on regional and global issues. He underscored the need for regular interaction between the political leadership, parliamentarians and the people of both the countries that would take the existing bilateral relations between both the countries to new heights. He also urged to take notice of Indian atrocities against innocent citizens in Kashmir.
He also urged to take notice of Indian atrocities against innocent citizens in Kashmir and added Pakistan was committed to UN resolutions for self-determination of the Kashmiri people and wants to settle bilateral disputes through discussion.
Ayaz Sadiq also appreciated the UK’s assistance to Pakistan in strengthening the legislative capacity of the Parliament and efforts undertaken to promote an inclusive democracy in Pakistan. He added that parliamentary cooperation between the two nations needed to receive a new vigour.
He also underlined the need for promoting people to people contacts to deepen shared understanding of each other and informed the visiting dignitary about the introduction of subject/course on ‘Parliamentary Practices and Legislative Drafting’ in universities and educational institutions all over the country.
He also apprised about the steps taken for austerity measures in the NA Secretariat while adopting the electrification requirements through solar energy. Lord Malcolm Gray Bruce appreciated the remarks of the speaker and said that
Lord Malcolm Gray Bruce appreciated the remarks of the speaker and said that the UK considered Pakistan one of its close friend and an important trading partner. He also said that the UK would expand the scope of its assistance plan and assist Pakistan in diverse fields. He also assured the speaker of extending maximum assistance for
He also said that the UK would expand the scope of its assistance plan and assist Pakistan in diverse fields. He also assured the speaker of extending maximum assistance for the building of legislative capacity of the parliamentarians and staff.
Lord Malcolm valued the efforts made by the parliamentarians regarding the electoral reforms for free, fair and transparent election in the country for future. While discussing the role of ‘Parliamentary Friendship Group’, he said that friendship groups in both the parliaments could play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations.
