ISLAMABAD: High commissioners of Australia and Canada to Pakistan called on National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq at Parliament House to discuss a wide range of issues including enhancing parliamentary and economic ties between Pakistan and their respective countries.
Talking to Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Margaret Adamson, the speaker remarked that Pakistan’s political leadership was committed to cement Pak-Australian political engagement for strengthening democratic governance. He expressed satisfaction with the pace of political and economic cooperation between the two countries. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq underlined the need for expansion of economic relations through sustained engagement of chambers of commerce and other business forums. He urged the need for substantial and concrete engagement on pressing issues prevalent in the region and beyond.
The speaker said that Pakistani political and military leadership had demonstrated an unflinching commitment to eliminate terrorism from its soil. Referring to cementing cooperation with Australia, the speaker remarked that parliamentary engagement between the two nations as the bedrock of robust relations and further urged the need for regular exchange of parliamentary delegations.
Margaret Adamson endorsed Ayaz Sadiq’s proposal for regular exchange of parliamentary delegations and cementing people-to-people contacts. She acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in war-on-terror and added that Australia would continue to support Pakistan at regional as well as international level in its endeavours for promoting peace, democracy and economic development.
Talking to the Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Perry John Calderwood, the speaker said that Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Canada and keen to further strengthen them through parliamentary cooperation and people-to-people and economic contacts. He underlined the need for enhanced interaction between parliamentarians of the two countries.
He said that relations between Pakistan and Canada were based on mutual goodwill and understanding as well as converging views on important global issues. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that mutual understanding and cooperation will further strengthen relations between both countries. Democracy in Pakistan is fully entrenched and the present government is committed to the welfare of its people, he added. The speaker said that parliament comprised of progressive forces and was on the same page on issues concerning masses.
John Calderwood appreciated the speaker’s remarks and said that his country also attached importance to its relations with Pakistan and wanted to further strengthen it through diversification of economic and parliamentary ties. He assured the speaker that engagement between parliamentarians would actively continue in the days ahead. He appreciated the contributions of Pakistani expatriates residing in Canada in strengthening the economy and development of Canada.
Published in Daily Times, November 18th 2017.
