ISLAMABAD, Jan 24 (APP):Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser Thursday urged Parliamentary Friendship Groups (PFGs) conveners to work proactively for enhancing country’s imports and positive image in the world.Addressing the meeting of conveners of PFGs, he said emerging challenges could be overcome by parliamentary diplomacy. Parliamentarians could play vital role in making the world peaceful.
The PFGs would have to work hard for trade relations with other countries especially with emerging economies of Africa, Latin America, etc. Parliament should play a vibrant role in bridging whooping trade
imbalances with various countries.
He assured National Assembly secretariat’s support and facilitating the PFGs in
achieving the tasks.
He said separate budget would be allocated for PFGs, besides arranging
sponsorships from other countries for the PFGs.
Lauding the performance of PFGs during the tenure of previous government, he said
parliamentary level interaction with Russia, China, Afghanistan and Turkey had
proved fruitful owing to their efforts.
An officer of National Assembly secretariat would be assigned to maintain close liaison with various countries.
Earlier, briefing the conveners, secretary National Assembly Tahir Hussain said the main aim of
constituting PFGs was to develop parliament to parliament linkages with other
countries. A total of 88 groups were constituted in 2013. The new current
parliament has constituted 93 groups. Relations with Germany and Belgium has
increased due to efforts of PFGs.
Speaker National Assembly is the ex-officio president of PFGs. The groups have been divided in to 7
regions. The focus of 16 new groups would be tapping trade potential of new
emerging economies. A MNA could become the member of 21 Parliamentary Groups to
promote friendly relations among other parliaments. Each PFG group would have
five executive committee members. Quorum of PFG would be of three members.
Convener would have casting vote.
