Tag: National Assembly of Pakistan

Islamabad, January 18, 2023 (PPI-OT):Parliamentary Task Force for Sustainable Development Goals convener Ms. Rumina Khursheed Alam, the head of the parliamentary delegation visiting Belgium to Pakistan, Alicia Claes along with the delegation met at the Parliament House on Tuesday. In the meeting Pakistan-Belgium bilateral relations. Pakistan attaches great importance to its parliamentary and diplomatic relations with Belgium.

He said that the National Assembly of Pakistan is the first parliament in the world which is paying special attention to the achievement of sustainable development goals. He said that the SDGs Secretariat was established in the National Assembly of Pakistan in 2016 and along with this, secretariats will also be established in the Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, including the four provinces.

Rumina Khursheed Alam, convener of Pakistan’s National Assembly, has said that the Parliamentary Task Force for Sustainable Development Goals in the country it is working towards achieving 17 goals of sustainable development. He said that SDGs had organized a two-day national dialogue last year in which the speakers of the four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. In this dialogue, which was attended by parliamentary delegations, a joint national action plan was set up to achieve the goals of sustainable development in the country.

He said that Pakistan was badly affected by the recent devastating floods and people’s houses and standing crops were destroyed by this flood. Is facing various difficulties due to change. He said that the world has to move forward for the rehabilitation of the families affected by the recent devastating floods and cooperate with Pakistan in this difficult situation.

Alicia Claes, Chairperson of the Belgium-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Belgian Parliament, congratulated Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam for organizing a successful two-day national dialogue on SDGs. Expressing regret over the losses, he assured all kinds of cooperation from the Belgian government

For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 17, 2023 (PPI-OT):Speaker of National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was an epic manifestation of ironclad friendship and all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China.

He also said that the project was mutually beneficial for both countries rather than the whole region could reap benefits from the project owing to its viability. He also said that sustainable economic development had always remained a top objective for Pakistan despite challenges. CPEC had played a massive role in the attainment of the above objective through enhanced connectivity and socio-economic development.

He made these remarks at the launch of “APCEA Sustainable Development Report 2022” l, an event jointly organized by the SDGs Secretariat of the National Assembly of Pakistan in collaboration with the All-Pakistan Chinese Enterprises’ Association (APCEA) at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services.

SDGs Secretariat in collaboration with APCEA organized the launch of a report titled “APCEA Sustainable Development Report 2022” on January 17th, 2023. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the CPEC projects in Pakistan while highlighting the contribution of the CPEC in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is one significant strategic imperative that has received attention both in Pakistan and around the world. The project’s continuing second phase has shifted its emphasis to the Pakistani education industry, economics, infrastructure, and sustainability including the opening of technical education institutions and the initiation and expansion of student exchange programs.

Mr. Wang Jie, Executive Vice Chairman APCEA and CEO of Bank of China Limited Pakistan Operations, in his welcome address, elucidated the vital need for realizing the importance of sustainable development and taking all possible corrective actions.

APCEA Sustainable Development Report 2022 briefly summarizes the sustainable development achievements of Chinese enterprises in the year 2022. He expressed APCEA’s beliefs about the terms “sustainability” and “sustainable development” which go beyond generating renewable energy. He stated that Chinese enterprises practice sustainable development in all aspects, to support Pak-China relations.

Consequently, their guiding principle is the fulfilment of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), including reliability, technological advancement, the welfare of the local community, and the development of their talents.

Romina Khurshid Alam, Convener National Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs, while highlighting the key takeaways from the report she stated that with “Pakistan’s youth bulge in mind and the Phase II of the CPEC, there is a need to prioritize the construction of new schools, technical and vocational training facilities, and higher education institutions while also renovating the existing ones”.

She further highlighted the role of CPEC towards the sustainable development goals especially SDGs 7 (Clean Energy), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 13 (Protect the Planet), and 17 (Partnership for Goals).

Miss Aisha Ghaus Pasha, Federal Minister of State for Finance and Revenue, stated that CPEC will supplement Pakistan’s socioeconomic development as the tremendous human capital of the region is its biggest asset. She further stated that CPEC projects have unleashed opportunities for socio-economic development for the people of Pakistan.

It was remarked that in CPEC Phase II, investment possibilities worth several billions of dollars are available in Pakistan in industries that directly support the SDGs. Transportation and logistics, renewable and alternative energy, healthcare, education, technology and communication, and finance are just a few of the industries covered. CPEC also provides huge prospects for talent development and the creation of regional value chains with China.

Ms. Chen Yen, CEO of Challenge Fashion Private Limited, also presented her views on the occasion. She remarked that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (“CPEC”) is an economic marvel of its time. The actual benefits of CPEC are innumerable for the region and are not only related to the economy but shall also help Pakistan in achieving economic growth propelled by green development. With consistent and dedicated efforts of both countries, Pakistan’s economic growth is bound to achieve greater heights.

For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 16, 2023 (PPI-OT):Raja Pervez Ashraf, Speaker of the Pakistani National Assembly, stated today that Belgium and Pakistan had warm relations based on a common commitment to democracy, pluralism, and trust. Pakistan had consistently demonstrated its readiness and commitment to upholding both its constitutional and international commitments for a more secure, environmentally friendly, peaceful, and progressive world. According to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision, Pakistan had always supported the peaceful and diplomatic settlement of all international problems. He made these remarks while speaking with Belgian legislative representatives during a meeting in Parliament, today.

The parliamentary delegation from Belgium Parliamentary Delegation comprised of Ms. Allessia Claes, Senator /Chairperson of the Belgium-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mr. Karl Vanlourve, State Senator Mr. Philippe Courard, PS, State Senator, Mr. Georges Dallemagne, Les Engages, Member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives and Senior officers of Belgium Parliament has come to Pakistan on a week-long visit at the special invitation of the Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf. The visit was intended to further promote parliamentary cooperation between the two sides in a bid to provide all necessary support to maximize gains in trade and promote people-to-people contacts.

The Speaker stated that Pakistan was in favour of a peaceful resolution to all problems in response to a query concerning the continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, from one of the visiting delegates. We had learned from history and our own experience that the only way to achieve enduring peace was via communication. Instead of concentrating all of its efforts on bringing about peace in just one area, the world should do its share to resolve other ongoing conflicts, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir being illegally occupied by India, with equal vigour. He emphasised that parliaments may play a significant part in educating the populace about the urgent need for a new world order based on shared ideals of democracy and equality for everyone.

The Speaker also emphasised Pakistan’s desire to advance its blue economy with the help of the EU and its technical and financial support. Despite producing less than 1% of the world’s greenhouse gases, he highlighted that Pakistan was at the epicentre of the global climate issue. He went on to explain that the nation had been experiencing extreme weather conditions, including droughts, forest fires, intense and protracted heat waves, and extraordinary and prolonged monsoon rains that caused devastating floods.

Ms. Allessi Claes thanked the Speaker profusely for the invitation and offered sympathy for the flood victims. She underlined the importance of letting the world know the real narrative of Pakistan, which battled valiantly against all odds to become a stable, tranquil, and peaceful nation. She and her colleagues would unquestionably serve as Pakistan’s ambassadors in Europe and work to promote the nation as much as possible.

The meeting between the visiting delegation and the National Assembly’s Pakistan-Belgium Parliamentary Friendship Group earlier today was quite fruitful. The meeting was significant because it covered a wide range of topics, including human rights, terrorism, and climate change. It also addressed how both parties could work together and make their economic contributions to further improve bilateral and regional trade through ongoing facilitation and cooperation through their respective parliaments. Both parties highlighted the importance of PFGs meeting on a regular basis, both in person and online, to follow up on the topics discussed during the meeting.

Later in the day, the delegation also paid a visit to the Women Parliamentary Caucus, where they were informed about the steps the Caucus had taken to empower Pakistani women through appropriate legislation and to use its influence to ensure that the country’s existing laws were implemented aptly for the benefit of more than half of its population.

For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 16, 2023 (PPI-OT):Chairman Higher Education Commission Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed called on National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf at Parliament House on Monday. The matter regarding establishment of University in Gujar Khan and initiation of early classes were discussed in the meeting.

Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that promoting education is indispensable for the development of the country. He also said there is a need for a political approach for the development of the education and health sector. He said that the youth of Pakistan has been blessed by Allah Almighty with immense abilities.

He stressed upon the need for provision of education, especially technical education to youth for their development and employment. He emphasized the early establishment of University in Gujar Khan and said that the establishment of state of art university in Gujar Khan is inevitable not only for Gujar Khan youth but also for youth surrounding districts. He said that as a public representative, it is their common responsibility to provide education facilities to the youth.

Chairman Higher Education Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, admired the efforts of the Speaker National Assembly for the development of the education sector. He informed the Speaker that he had issued instructions to the concerned authorities for prioritizing the establishment of university in Gujar Khan. He said establishment of state of art university in Gujjar Khan will provide quality education to the youth of whole Potohar region, Azad Kashmir and other adjoining areas.

He said that development of the country is interlinked with the development of education, health and social sectors. He said that for the development of these sectors, politicians as a whole have to think beyond party affiliation. He assured that all possible resources will be utilized for the establishment of a university in Gujar Khan on priority basis.

For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 16, 2023 (PPI-OT):Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Deputy Speaker National Assembly Zahid Ikram Durrani expressed their deep sorrow and grief over the death of former provincial minister and senior political leader Amanullah Khan Kundi, father of former Member National Assembly Dawar Khan Kundi.

The Speaker and Deputy Speaker in their separate condolence messages to the former member of the National Assembly Dawar Khan Kundi, while paying tribute to the political and social services of the deceased, said that the country has lost a principled and experienced politician with the death of the late Amanullah Khan Kundi. The leader has been lost. The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker also prayed to Allah Almighty to raise the status of the deceased and give patience to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.

For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk