Miss Sheila Jackson Lee, Chair of Pakistan caucus in the US Congress has invited Dr Fehmida Mirza, National Assembly Speaker to visit the USA. Miss Lee extended the invitation during her visit to the Parliament House when she called on Speaker Dr Mirza on Tuesday morning. The NA Speaker thanked Miss Lee for the invitation.
During her talk with the US Congresswoman, Dr Mirza assured Miss Lee that Pakistan valued its ties with her country. She added 'Our two countries have similar perceptions on a number of global issues'. Responding to the Speaker's remark, Miss Lee expressed a wish that Pakistan, a democratic and sovereign country, would continue to strive for peace and prosperity, and that USA and Pakistan would enjoy an enduring and long-term friendly relationship.
Ms Lee assured Dr Mirza of US Congress's support for improving the lot of women in tribal areas. She also expressed a desire for greater interaction between the parliamentarians of the two countries.
Earlier, National Assembly Speaker Dr Mirza briefed Miss Lee on the activities of four major coalition partners - the Pakistan People's Party, the Nawaz Muslim League the Awami National Party and Jamat Ulema i Islam. She also expressed confidence that mass support would help the coalition partners to overcome many challenges.
As for the PPP, which was the major party in the coalition, she said people had many expectations from the government and it was also trying to meet the public expectation. Talking of women representation in public affairs, she said it was the most important aspect in the struggle against oppression.
'There are many women members in the Assembly who were performing extremely well.' In fact the role of women parliamentarians is judged today as a plus factor in strengthening democratic credentials of the country,' Dr Mirza observed. Pakistanis are moderate and peaceful people. As a proof of this, the Speaker cited the result of the general election, held on February 18.
The masses elected moderate and progressive forces in the Parliament, and this showed that democracy has been firmly established in the country. She said that Pakistan needed support of the international community to strengthen democracy, alleviate poverty and lift up social well being of the people.
Dr Fehmida Mirza, National Assembly Speaker expressed her gratitude to the US for supporting the new democratic government established in Pakistan as well as for US effort to strengthen democratic institutions. Dr Fehmida expressed a wish that US would further support the advancement of parliamentary democracy in Pakistan.
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