Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Sri Lanka Would Not have Defeated Terrorism Without Pakistan’s Support: President Mahinda Rajapaksha




The Pakistani Parliamentary delegation led by Dr Nafisa Shah, Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and Chairperson of National Commission for Human Development paid a courtesy call on the President of Sri Lanka H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees in Colombo.
Other members of the delegation included the Speaker of Pakistan’s Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan and Senator Muzaffar Hussain Shah. The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka H.E. Seema Ilahi Baloch also accompanied the Pakistani delegation.
Dr Nafisa Shah conveyed appreciation of the Pakistani Government, Parliament and people to the Honorable President for the hospitality extended by people and the Government of Sri Lanka towards the Pakistani delegation.
She also commended the arrangements made by the Sri Lankan Government for organizing the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in an impressive manner.
She said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka are historically bonded in a relationship of trust, mutual respect and deep friendship which is manifested at all the phases of their histories.
The Sri Lankan President H.E Mahinda Rajapasha noted that Pakistan extended unflinching support to Sri Lanka during the 3 decade internal conflict and immensely helped in the elimination of the menace of terrorism from the Sri Lankan soil.
He said that Sri Lanka would not have eliminated the scourge of terrorism without the help and support of Pakistan. He said that Pakistan has proved to be a true friend of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Government as well as public has deep affection for Pakistan.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and stressed upon the need to work closely in the regional and global context.
The 22 member Pakistani Parliamentary Delegation is currently visiting Sri Lanka to participate in the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference in Colombo which is scheduled to be held from 11th to 15th September 2012 in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan greatly value its relations with Sri Lanka: Dr Nafisa Shsh





The Pakistani Parliamentary delegation which is currently visiting Sri Lanka to participate in the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference in Colombo paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Hon Chamal  Rajapaksa today at the BMICH Colombo.
The delegation was led by Hon Dr Nafisa Shah, Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and Chairperson of National Commission for Human Development. Other members of the delegation included Speakers of Punjab and Sindh Assemblies, senators and Members of parliament.
The High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sri Lanka HE Seema Illahi Baloch, and Deputy Speaker of Sri Lanka Chandima Weerakkody were also present on the occasion.
Dr Nafisa Shah thanked the government and the people of Sri Lanka for the warm welcome and the hospitality extended towards the Pakistani delegation. She also appreciated the arrangements made by the Sri Lankan Government for organizing the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.
 She appreciated the Sri Lankan government’s success on eliminating the menace of terrorism which resulted in bringing back normalcy to the country
Emphasizing that the Government and people of Pakistan greatly value relations with Sri Lanka, she said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy commonality of views on regional and international issues and coordinate their positions at all forums including United Nations and SAARC.
She underscored the need for enhanced exchange of Parliamentary delegations between the two countries to promote people-to-people contacts. Such visits will help promote greater cooperation between the two Parliaments, she said. She also emphasized the need for further strengthening the linkages between women parliamentarians of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khoro expressed satisfaction over the volume of trade between two countries which has been doubled from US$ 140 million to around US$ 300 million in the last four years. He hoped that the figure of US$ 1 billion in bilateral trade will be achieved in near future.
The Speaker of Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan said that the people and Government of Pakistan are really grateful to the Sri Lankan Government for sending the team of medical personnel to help combat and control the spread of dengue virus.
The Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Hon Chamal  Rajapaksaunderscored the importance that Sri Lanka attaches to the special bonds of affinity that exist between the two countries, based on the rich historical and cultural interactions as well as the shared aspirations of people for peace, progress and prosperity.
The Deputy Speaker of Sri Lanka Chandima Weerakkody appreciated the support extended by the Pakistani Government for extending unflinching support to Sri Lanka during the 3 decade long internal conflict which immensely helped in the elimination of the menace of terrorism from Sri Lankan soil.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries and stressed upon the need to work closely in the regional and global context.
At the conclusion of the meeting the Pakistani delegates presented traditional shawls (Ajrak) and souvenirs to the Hon Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament

Pakistan unanimously re elected to the vice chair of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association for a 2nd consecutive term



Dr. Nafisa Shah, Member National Assembly of Pakistan andChairperson of the National Commission for Human Development has been unanimously re-elected by the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as the Vice Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association for a 2nd  term.
The reelection of Dr Shah took place during the 58 Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conferences at Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Association’s supreme authority is the General Assembly which is constituted by the delegates to the annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferences. The business and activities of the CPA are managed by an Executive Committee, which reports to the General Assembly.
The Executive Committee of CPA comprises of all region of the Commonwealth including Africa, Australia, Caribbean, the British Isles, India, Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association comprises parliaments of 54 countries together with the provincial parliaments with more than 170 legislative bodies as its members.
Dr Shah was elected for a term of one year in 2011 and now will serve as vice chair for a second consecutive term.
Pakistan was represented at the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference from 11th to 15th September 2012 in Sri Lanka by a 22 member Pakistani Parliamentary Delegation with the representation of Senate, National Assembly and Provincial assemblies of Pakistan.