Pakistan Speaker calls on President
Speaker of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Dr.Fehmida Mirza, who is currently in Sri Lanka to attend the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Regional Conference, paid a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapakse at Temple Trees on Saturday, Feb 12.
She was accompanied by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Seema Illahi Baloch.
The Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Dr. Fehmida Mirza and the Pakistan Parliamentary delegation paid a courtesy call on the President of Sri Lanka H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on 12th February 2011.
The Honourable speaker was accompanied by the Deputy Chairman, Senate of Pakistan, the Speakers of Provincial Assemblies of Sindh and Balochiatan and the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka M.E. Mrs. Seema Ilahi Baloch. The Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa and the Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga also attended the meeting.
The Speaker thanked the government and the people of Srilanka for the warm welcome and the hospitality extended towards the Pakistani delegation. She also appreciated the arrangements made by the Srilankan Parliament for organizing the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's 3rd Asian Regional Conference.
The Speaker congratulated the President for his re election as President for the second term and commended his government’s resolve with which the menace of terrorism was eliminated from Srilanka. She said that the Government and people of Pakistan greatly values its relations with Srilanka in the regional and bilateral context. The Speaker said Pakistan fully supports the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. Our two countries enjoy commonality of views on regional and international issues and coordinate their positions at the United Nations and SAARC, she added.
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 appreciated the establishment of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentarians Friendship Association and said that efforts are underway to reactivate the Srilankan Parliamentary Friendship Association in Pakistan.
While apprising the Srilankan side on the damage and devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan, the honourable Speaker said it is the biggest human tragedy in the history of Pakistan, floods have left the entire agriculture sector in shambles, livestock have been equally devastated, standing crops worth billion of dollar have been destroyed. She said that the victims of this immense tragedy need solidarity, concrete help and assistance from the world community.
On the occasion, the Speaker conveyed the appreciation of the Government, parliament and people of Pakistan for the flood relief assistance provided by the Government and people of Sri Lanka. She also said that during devastating floods in Srilanka the Government of Pakistan has extended support by sending the much needed humanitarian relief assistance. The Honorable President appreciated the Speaker for the efforts made by the Pakistani government for alleviating the sufferings of the flood victims.
The Speaker 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. She hoped the figure of US$ 1 billion will be achieved by 2012. She also assured that Pakistan will continue to work towards economic progress of Sri-Lanka and urged the Srilanka side to encourage the flow of investment towards Pakistan.
While talking on the cultural cooperation between the two countries, the Speaker said that the Government of Pakistan attaches great importance to the preservation of the Gandhara heritage, Buddhist relics and sites, as a standing tribute to the shared past of our two nations.
The two side agreed that the high level visits from Pakistan (including that of the President, Chairman Senate, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Naval staff) and those from Srilanka including that of the Srilanka Parliament Speaker have reinvigorated the traditional friendly ties between the two brotherly countries.
In a separate development the Prime Minister of Srilanka D.M. Jayaratne called on the honourable Speaker on 12th February 2011. The Honorable Speaker thanked the Government of Srilanka for the hospitality and warmth extended by the Srilankan side and attributed it to the historic ties between the two brotherly countries.
The Srilankan Premier appreciated the support extended by the Pakistani Government for the flood affectees. He also noted that Pakistan was the only country which extended unflinching support to Srilanka during the 3 decade internal conflict and immensely helped for the elimination of the menace of terrorism from the Srilankan 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.
The Honorable Speaker National Assembly has arrived in Colombo to attend the 3rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's Asian Regional Conference which is being held from 11th to 16th February, 2011 at Colombo, Sri Lanka. She is accompanied by a 5-member Parliamentary delegation from the National Assembly of Pakistan. The delegations of the Provincial Parliaments of Pakistan are also attending the CPA Regional Conference.
Apart from Pakistan Parliamentary delegation, delegates from Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka will participate in the Conference. The Conference is focused upon variety of subjects that commonly affect the region. The main Poverty alleviations, climate change and Mother and child healthcare will be the topics for discussion at plenary level.
