ISLAMABAD - Speaker of National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has said that relations between Pakistan and US are vital for regional progress and development.
He said that enhancing Parliament to Parliament contacts would strengthen the relations between both countries. “Both countries are celebrating 75th years of diplomatic relations and he expressed his desire to strengthen these ties for promoting mutual interests,” he stated this during his meeting with a delegation headed by US Congresswoman Ms Ilhan Omar at Parliament House on Wednesday. He said that the Constitution of Pakistan ensures fundamental rights to all irrespective of caste, creed and religion. While discussing vast potential of Tourism, business and trade, he said that the soft image of the country needs to be highlighted.
While mentioning women empowerment, Speaker of National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto is the real role model for women empowerment not only in Pakistan but for the whole world. He said that she struggled for strengthening democracy as she was great proponent of women and minority empowerment. He said that peaceful transition of government indicated the ever-strengthening roots of democracy in Pakistan. Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf appreciated the struggle and commitment of US Congresswoman Ms Ilhan Omar for ensuring the fundamental rights of minorities, women and children in US.
He said that she symbolized the struggle and resolve that every woman has in the world. He said that this visit of the delegation of US congress would pave way for strengthening ties between both countries. While mentioning about Women Parliamentary Caucus and Young Parliamentary Forum in Parliament of Pakistan, he said that these are supporting parliament in pro-women legislative functions proactively. He also invited the US congress members to visit the parliament of Pakistan and expressed a desire to enhance cooperation of US Congress Committee system and Committee system in the Parliament of Pakistan. While highlighting the blatant human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jummu & Kahmir (IIOJK), Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that the world community needs to take cognizant of this issue as the Indian government is violating all basic norms of humanity in IIOJK. He also said that Pakistan is committed to eliminating terrorism from its soil and it always desire for peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan as its neighbour.
US Congresswoman Ms Ilhan Omar said that US values high its ties with Pakistan as both countries had been partners in progress since last seven decades. She said that US would continue to support Pakistan especially in the fields of education, health and women empowerment. She also invited Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Asharf to visit US congress as she desired to enhance parliamentary contacts between both countries. The delegation also appreciated the rich land scape beauty of Pakistan as they visited Azad Jammu & Kashmir.