The fair, free and impartial recent elections have redeemed the image of Pakistan in the comity of nations, and we were looking forward to a smooth and peaceful transfer of power to the next parliament.
Matijaz Sinkovec, leader of six-member delegation from the European Union, said this to Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a meeting, held here at the Parliament House on Tuesday.
The delegation included Ms Barbara Zvokelj, and four other male members, Michel Filhol, Omasz Kozlowksi, Karel Kovanda and Frederick Svedang. These EU members expressed full support the democratic process in Pakistan, but added that the Parliament is an important institution, truly reflecting the will of the people, and that 'the EU would always try to have close interaction with the Parliament in Pakistan.'
In reply, Mushahid Hussain, who is also secretary-general of PML-Q, which showed a poor performance in the recent elections, held on February 18, assured the delegation of a smooth and peaceful transfer of power after the 13th National Assembly is convened in the next few days.
Mushahid said Pakistan was at the threshold of a new political culture shunning, shunning vendetta and revenge. "We need a healing touch after the elections, and we would like to bury the bitter past to move on in a new beginning of reconciliation and, of course, more development', he told Matijaz Sinkovec's and his team members.
Mushahid Hussain saw a sea change in the country, and the beginning of issue-oriented politics. 'Issues pertinent to the people are beginning to dominate the political scene instead of personalities, which had been the culture of politics since independence.
He was hopeful that the elections would strengthen the institution since, for the first time winners as well as the losers have accepted the results in good grace.
Speaking about the voters turnout which was relatively high and it was keenly monitored by the international community. The people, too, demonstrated maturity, Mushahid commented that this augured well for future. Pakistan and the government fulfilled its promise in this regard. As for peace process between Pakistan and India, he expected the composite dialogue to continue forward to achieving normalised relations.
Regional situation as well as terrorism and extremism were some issues discussed in the meeting, during which the Senator repeated the fact of extremism and terrorism as threats to Pakistan. In this regard he also called for a holistic approach to combat the scourge of terrorism in totality focusing on eliminating poverty and injustice from the society.
"Pakistan wishes peaceful, prosperous and stable South Asia to realise to move ahead on the road to development", Mushahid told the EU delegation.