National Assembly Deputy Speaker stresses for strong Commonwealth Cooperation

Islamabad, January 12, 2016 (PPI-OT): Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Murtaza Javed Abbasi, has called on the Commonwealth Member states to forge unity to make a common cause against illiteracy, hunger and disease, the core issues affecting the 54 Member organization. He expressed these views during his various sideline meetings at the 23rd Conference of the Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC), being held in the Malaysian city of Kot Kinabalu.

The Deputy Speaker congratulated the newly appointed Secretary General of Commonwealth Mr. Akbar Khan and noted that his appointment would be a good omen for the Commonwealth parliamentary fraternity. He briefed the Secretary General about the developing democracy of Pakistan and the numerous initiatives taken by the parliamentary leadership.

These include the initiation of a parliamentary studies course in 53 universities of Pakistan, the shifting to solar energy through the “Green Parliament Programme”, the founding of Legislative Drafting Council and the various youth engagement programs. The Secretary General praised the efforts and assured his complete support in further strengthening of parliamentary mechanisms.

Mr. Abbasi, during his meeting with the Speaker of Sabah State Assembly, Malaysia, Syed Abas Syed Ali, thanked him for the hospitality and urged on strong linkages between Malaysia and Pakistan. He referred to the presence of a strong Pakistani diaspora in Malaysia and noted that even the ancestors of the Chief Minister and the Speaker of Sabah had also come from areas now constituting in Pakistan.

He considered these linkages as natural connections between the two countries, which could be useful in the development of bilateral trade, commerce, tourism and human resource development. The Deputy Speaker called for a fair balance of between the two countries and noted that Pakistan could provide qualified medical doctors and medical education to Malaysia. He also informed that after the international halal food certification, Malaysian firms could consider importing quality meat from Pakistan.

The Deputy Speaker also held side meetings with the Speakers of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Cayman Islands and Uganda and discussed the matter pertaining to bilateral relations and mutual interest. The 23rd CSPOC was opened here amidst great fanfare by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi along-with the Speaker of Malaysian House of Representatives Pandikar Amin bin Haji Mulia, and the Foreign Minister of Malaysia Mr. Anifah Aman. 44 Speakers and Presiding Officers from all over the Commonwealth Countries are attending the Conference.

For more information, contact:
Karamat Hussain Niazi
Secretary
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre,
National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House,
Islamabad – Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk