Training institutions like IRI are source of change in Pakistani political culture: Shujat Hussain, Parvez Elahi

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-More than 3000 Muslim League workers have so far been trained

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (PML) President and former prime minister Chaudhry Shujat Hussain and Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi have said that training institutions like International Republican Institute (IRI) have a hand in the prominent change in the political culture of Pakistan.

Talking to an IRI delegation from the United States of America (USA) which called on them in Islamabad on Wednesday, the PML leaders said that the institution has acquainted political parties of Pakistan with modern requirements of internal democracy and research.

During the meeting, US political organisation working under US-AID in Pakistan, Member National Assembly (MNA) Farrukh Khan, Rizwan Mumtaz Ali and Rana Khalid were also present whereas, the delegation included Vice-President of the organisation Scott Mastic, Senior Programme Manager Matthew Carter and Senior Programme Officer Junaid Aftab among others.

The PML leaders said that the training programme started by IRI in 2002 for political workers has brought about a welcome change in the country’s political culture. “Our party is well aware of the importance of such programmes for political training of all NGOs, this is the reason that more than 3000 PML workers have got training from IRI on different matters. This will provide more opportunities for playing a more effective role for women and youth,” said Parvez Elahi.

During the meeting, both Shujat Hussain and Parvez Elahi expressed sorrow over the demise of Republican Party’s Senator John McCain and said that his friendship for Pakistan will always be remembered.