Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday said that Pakistan has been grappling with the menace of terrorism, as neighbouring Afghanistan has become a hub of terrorism in the region.
Afghanistan has become hub of terrorism: Ayaz Sadiq
ISLAMABAD, Sep 23 (APP): Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday said that Pakistan has been grappling with the menace of terrorism, as neighbouring Afghanistan has become a hub of terrorism in the region.
Sophisticated weapons left behind by NATO forces in Afghanistan were being used against innocent Pakistani citizens and the country’s security forces. The Speaker expressed these views during a meeting with the European Parliamentary delegation led by Mary Khan, Member of the European Parliament, at Parliament House, a news release said.
He said that Pakistan had demonstrated considerable restraint in response to recent Indian aggression.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with the European Union and its member states.
He expressed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen parliamentary relations with the European Union and proposed the establishment of a Pakistan-European Union Parliamentary Friendship Group. He said enhanced parliamentary contacts would provide opportunities for exchanging experiences, information and best practices between the two sides.
Ayaz Sadiq also said that terrorism emanating from Afghan territory remains a major challenge for Pakistan.
He recalled that Pakistan had hosted Afghan refugees for four decades and reiterated that Pakistan desired peace and stability in the region.
He said that Pakistan wanted regional disputes to be resolved peacefully through dialogue and engagement.
Ayaz Sadiq has also said that Pakistan had demonstrated restraint in response to unprovoked Indian aggression and played a responsible role for regional peace and stability. He said Pakistan remains committed to peaceful resolution of Kashmir.
The NA Speaker said that the world appreciated the efforts of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for promoting global peace, dialogue and stability.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that although Pakistan contributes less than 1 percent in ghg emissions yet Pakistan was severely affected by the adverse impacts of climate change, which emerged as a major challenge for the country. He urged the international community to play its role in addressing climate-related challenges.
The Speaker also said that Pakistan’s Parliament is the world 1st green Parliament.
He said that the use of solar energy in Parliament is an environment-friendly initiative and reflects Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable and green development.
The speaker said that the Women Parliamentary Caucus is playing an active role in protecting and promoting the rights of women.
He added that the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights, SDGs Secretariat and Young Parliamentarians Forum of the National Assembly are also playing an active role for the betterment and welfare of the people of Pakistan.
Ayaz Sadiq said that minorities in Pakistan enjoy freedom and constitutional rights.
He appreciated the role of minority parliamentarians in the Parliament and said that all relevant institutions of the state are working for the protection of minority rights.
The Speaker reiterated that Pakistan desires to further enhance parliamentary cooperation with the European Union. He said that stronger parliamentary linkages would help promote mutual understanding, exchange of experiences and closer relations between Pakistan and EU member states.
The members of the European Parliamentary delegation appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting peace and stability in the region. They said that Pakistan was a geographically important country and said that the European Union highly values its relations with Pakistan.
The delegation members described the Pakistani nation as resilient and peace-loving and expressed their appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and stability. They also thanked Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to the delegation.
The European Parliamentary delegation included Dennis Hohloch, Stanislav Stoyanov, Tomasz Froelich, Dan Paddock and Moses.
