ISLAMABAD  - Chairman Senate Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Tuesday, pressed on the enhanced engagements between Pakistan and United Kingdom to boost cooperation in trade, education and cause of women empowerment.

He also said that the government was committed to hold independent, free, fair and transparent elections and for the first time in country’s history there would be smooth transition from one political government to another political government after the completion of five years tenure of people’s elected representatives.
“We want continuity of democratic process that only can lead to strengthening democracy in the country for ultimate peace, progress and prosperity of the people” he said while speaking in a meeting with Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza leading the delegation of UK’s House of Lords here at the Parliament House.
The Chairman said that Pakistan and United Kingdom have long history of good relations and we consider UK as a close friend and genuine development partner. The Chairman added that the relations between the two countries are based on mutual respect and mutual interests.
The Chairman said that lots of Pakistani expatriates are living there and contributing to our relation building.
The Chairman apprised the delegates that ensuring participation of women in all walks of life including enhancing their share in electoral process has been one of the priorities of the present government.
The Chairman stressed the need for frequent exchange of parliamentary delegations particularly women parliamentarians in order to share their experiences for mutual benefit and cause of women empowerment.
Responding Baroness D’Souza said that programs under the auspices of Women Parliamentary Caucus are really impressive for development of women through education and socio-economic uplift.
She said that efforts made by Women Parliamentary Caucus have been very effective and instrumental in bringing change in the society for empowering women.
She reiterated that legislation done for empowering women in the country during last five years is a step towards right direction. She said that women from UK and Pakistan should join hands to take their cause for women’s development, health, education and socio-economic empowerment to change the lives of the poorest and the destitute among women. She apprised that there are many challenges in the way to women empowerment which require joint efforts.
Leader of the House in Senate Jahangir Badar said that the visit of delegation from House of Lords is taking place at very crucial time when first ever democratic government is completing its tenure and about to transfer power to another political civilian government through 2013 general elections.
Badar said that UK parliament is mother of democracy and we always look forward to learn from developed democracy in order to gain from their knowledge and experience. He told delegates that our democracy is developing and we want it to take deep roots and ultimately become a participatory democracy like developed world.
Leader of Opposition in Senate Ishaq Dar said that we are grateful for contributions made by UK through DFID for promotion of education in Pakistan.
He apprised the delegates that in Punjab particularly there has been special package for women empowerment through different legislation and executive measures which are producing good results and such steps can be replicated in rest of the country in order to advance women’s socio-economic empowerment.