Pakistan and Canada have agreed to strengthen their inter-parliamentary ties and bilateral cooperation across the different sectors for the benefit of the people of their nations. This was discussed in-depth at a meeting between the Senate chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani and the delegation from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association of the Parliament of Canada at the Pakistani Parliament House this Wednesday. The Senate Chairman, while greeting the Canadian delegation, commented that Pakistan held its bilateral ties with Canada in high esteem, and wished to further strengthen their diplomatic relations across various sectors.
He said that both Pakistan and Canada shared objectives and cooperation between the two was on a positive trajectory. The Senate chairman was assisted by six senators including but not limited to Senators Rukhsana Zubairi, Samina Saeed, and Sitara Ayaz. The visiting side was headed by Yasmin Ratansi, MP and comprised Senator Salma Ataullahjan, Senator Diane Griffin and a number of MPs including Terry Duguid, Robet Kitchen, and Murray Rankin.
Mr Muahammad Sadiz Sanjrani underscored the need for enhanced parliamentary linkages and suggested for activation of parliamentary groups in respective parliaments to bring people of the two countries closer. He also said that both Pakistan and Canada had played an active role with regard to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and both had supported each other at different international forums, which was the manifestation of the fact that governments of the two countries wanted to place ties on a high pedestal.
He added that Pakistan was a diverse country with bright economic prospects and desired to further expand ties across different sectors. Sanjrani also highlighted the need for further cooperation in various sectors along with promoting people-to-people contact for better understanding to bring both the countries close to each other. The Senate chairman appreciated these comments and the proactive role of the Canadian parliament within the CPA. He apprised that Pakistan would host a post-election seminar in collaboration with the CPA in May of 2018.
Both sides also expressed agreement to initiate training and capacity building programs for officers of the parliament on a more regular basis. The Canadian delegation agreed with the views of the Senate chairman and called for more regular interaction at parliamentary as well as other levels. During the meeting, the Canadian high commissioner apprised the Senate chairman that the Canadian government would soon introduce scholarship schemes for students from Balochistan and would extend cooperation for the promotion of fisheries and mining sectors in the province.
The delegation also visited the Gali-e-Dastoor and the Senate Museum—expressing their interest in the efforts to conserve the parliamentary history of the country.
By MSEAP Cyber Secretariat (mseap@assembly.go.kr) |
