Pakistan and Canada have agreed to further boost parliamentary linkages and bilateral cooperation in different sectors for benefit of the people of two sides.
This was agreed in a meeting between Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) delegation of the Parliament of Canada at the Parliament House on Wednesday, said a press release.
The Chairman Senate, while welcoming the delegation, observed that Pakistan places its bilateral ties with Canada at high esteem and desires to further expand relationship in different sectors. He said that both Pakistan and Canada have shared objectives and cooperation between the two is on a positive trajectory.
Chairman Senate was assisted by Senator Rukhsana Zubairi, Samina Saeed, Anwaaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Faisal Javed, Auranzeb Orakzai, Sitara Ayaz, Talah Mehmood, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif and Secretary Senate Amjed Pervez Malik.
The visiting side headed by Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, MP was comprised of Senator Salma Ataullahjan, Senator Diane Griffin, Mr. Terry Duguid, MP, Mr. Robet Kitchen, MP Mr. Murray Rankin, MP and Mr. Ramesh Sangha, MP.
Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani underscored the need for enhanced parliamentary linkages and suggested for activation of parliamentary groups in respective parliaments to bring people of the two sides more closer. He said that both Pakistan and Canada have played active role on Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and both have supported each other at different other international forums which is manifestation of the fact that governments of the two sides wants to place ties on a high pedestal.
Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani said that Pakistan and Canada have increased the bilateral trade and economic cooperation recently but there is huge potential to promote it further. He said that Pakistan is a diversified country with bright economic prospects and desires to further expand these ties in different sectors.
Chairman Senate also emphasized the need for further cooperation in various sectors along with promoting people to people contacts for better understanding to bring both the countries more closer to each other.
Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani said that Pakistan appreciate the measures of the Canadian government for taking good care of the Pakistanis and expect the other countries of the Western world to follow the Canadian example. He said that he is strong believer in the parliamentary diplomacy as it has added advantage to improve the relations among the nations, where bureaucratic interactions face intertia.
Chairman Senate appreciated the proactive role of Canadian parliament in CPA. He apprised that Pakistan would host post-Election Seminar in collaboration with CPA in May.
Both sides also expressed agreement to initiate training and capacity building programmes for officers of the Parliament on more regular basis.
Senators including Anwar ul Haq Kakar, Ms. Sitara Ayaz, Sameena Saeed, Faisal Javed and others said that Pakistan wants peace at regional and global level. Kakar said that Pakistan offered sacrifices for global peace; however, unfortunately, a malicious campaign has been launched by some elements to malign Pakistan. He said that global community should recognize Pakistan contribution and sacrifices to eliminate terrorism.
The Canadian delegation agreed with the views of Chairman Senate and called for more regular interaction at parliamentary and other levels.
During the meeting, Canadian High Commissioner apprized the Chairman Senate that Canadian government will soon introduce scholarship schemes for students from Baluchistan and would extend cooperation for promotion of the fisheries and mining sectors in the province.
Chairman Senate also hosted a reception in honour of the visiting delegation at parliament house during which issues of mutual interest were deliberated at length.
The delegation also visited the Gali-e-Dastoor and Senate Museum and expressed interest in the effort to conserve the parliamentary history of the country.
