ISLAMABAD: Senate Defence Committee Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed Tuesday said that Pakistan would host biggest ever conference in parliamentary history, the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) on December 8 to 10.
Addressing a press conference here, he said that the APA is an Asiawide organization bringing together parliaments from all the Asian countries.
Mushahid who is also chairman of organizing committee of APA said about 25 countries, representing parliaments and parliamentarians from all over Asia, have confirmed to participate in this conference, which will include nearly 200 delegates.
The APA, which last met in Damascus in 2010, this time has a very relevant conference, theme, namely, "Asian Century: Cooperation in Economy, Energy and Environment",.
Islamabad Declaration will be issued at the end of the conference with aim to promote the theme of the Asian Century, he added.
He expressed the hope that the Chairman of the Senate, Syed Nayeer Hussain Bokhari would be elected unanimously as the new president of the APA.
Mushahid Hussain said it will be a great honour for Pakistan, testifying to international recognition of Pakistan's role as a vibrant, dynamic democracy.
The senator said the conference will be open to media and a special centre will be established to facilitate the coverage of the important conference.
The Senate of Pakistan has also arranged live streaming of the conference through its especially dedicated website: www.asianparliament.org.pk, he said.
Senator Mushahid Hussain said that the conference is being held at a very important moment in the history of Asia when the balance of power is shifting from the West to the East and it is now generally recognised that the 21st Century would an the "Asian Century".
In this context, he said, it is imperative that the elected representatives of the people of Asia must shape the destiny and future of Asia so that the problems of world's biggest continent can be resolved by Asians themselves.
Senator Mushahid said that the conference would not only enhance the image of Pakistan since it is playing a pivotal role in the most strategic region of Asia, but also on the pressing issues such as economy, energy and the environment, the APA would seek to present a way-forward.
The senator said that India has not confirmed participation in the conference.
To a question, he said, talks between Iran and US is positive development and would also bring positive effect in the region.
He said from the day one it was the stance of Pakistan that dialogue is the only way to resolve issue with Iran.
To another question, he said, foolproof security arrangements would be made with the cooperation of Interior Ministry for the conference.
During the briefing, the official website of the APA the conference was also launched.
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