ISLAMABAD: High Commissioners (HCs) of Australia and Canada called on National Assembly (NA) Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in Parliament House on Friday and discussed wide-ranging issues, including enhancing parliamentary and economic ties between Pakistan and their respective countries.
Talking to the High Commissioner of Australia Margaret Adamson, the NA speaker remarked that Pakistan’s political leadership was committed to cement Pak-Australian political engagement for strengthening democratic governance in the country.
He expressed satisfaction with the pace of political and economic cooperation between the two countries. Ayaz Sadiq underlined the need for expansion of economic relations through sustained engagement of chambers of commerce and other business forums. He urged the need for substantial and concrete engagement on pressing issues prevalent in the region and beyond.
The speaker further said that Pakistani political and military leadership had demonstrated an unflinching commitment to eliminate terrorism from its soil. Referring to cementing cooperation with Australia, he said that parliamentary engagement between the two nations was the bedrock of robust relations between the two nations, and further urged the need for regular exchange of parliamentary delegations.
Adamson endorsed Sadiq’s proposal for regular exchange of parliamentary delegations and cementing people-to-people contacts. She acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in the global war on terror, adding that Australia would continue to support Pakistan at the regional as well as international level in its endeavours for promoting peace, democracy and economic development.
Talking to the Canadian High Commissioner Perry John Calderwood, the speaker said that Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Canada and was keen to further strengthen them through parliamentary cooperation and people-to-people and economic contacts. He underlined the need for enhanced interaction between the parliamentarians of the two countries.
He said that relations between Pakistan and Canada were based on mutual goodwill and understanding, as well as converging views on important global issues. Ayaz Sadiq said that mutual understanding and cooperation would further strengthen relations between both the countries. Democracy in Pakistan was fully entrenched and the present government was committed to the welfare of its people, he added. The speaker also said that the present parliament comprised of progressive forces who were on the same page regarding issues being faced by the masses.
Calderwood appreciated the speaker’s remarks and said that his country also attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan, adding that existing contacts would be further strengthened through diversification of economic and parliamentary ties. He assured the speaker that engagement between parliamentarians would actively continue in the days ahead. He also appreciated the contributions of Pakistani expatriates residing in Canada in contributing towards the economy and development of Canada.
