NA speaker commits to ‘inclusive democracy’

Ayaz Sadiq foresees country registering sustained economic growth in 2018

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has expressed hope that the dawn of 2018 will usher Pakistan into a new era of sustained economic growth as well as democratic consolidation.

“The year 2018 will surely bear witness to the fact that we have decisively turned a page in our history and embarked upon the national journey afresh with the resolve to overcome the challenges of the era,” said the NA speaker in his felicitation message to the nation on the eve of New Year.

The speaker reiterated the resolve of the incumbent government for an inclusive democracy dedicated to the uplift of the downtrodden and streamlining of the marginalised strata of the society.



“The days of terrorism in Pakistan are numbered,” he said, expressing confidence that 2018 will further consolidate Pakistan’s march towards peace and prosperity.

Sadiq paid rich tributes to the services of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for defence, integrity and security of Pakistan. “The nation stands in solidarity with the families of the martyrs,” he said.

Referring to the challenges, Sadiq said, “The march of resilient Pakistani state and society will overcome the mounting challenges.”



He urged his fellow countrymen to shun all differences and unite under the banner of faith, unity and discipline as espoused by the founding father, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

He underlined the need for promoting religious harmony and interfaith dialogue to pursue the ideals of equal development and mutual coexistence as central elements for a pluralistic Pakistani state.

The speaker also expressed hope that Pakistan will continue to reverse the tides of poverty by enriching the youth with employable skills and spirit of entrepreneurship.



Referring to regional objectives, he said, “Pakistan is committed to a peaceful South Asian region and will continue to cooperate with other regional players for peace in the region.”

Wishing a happy New Year to the people of Pakistan, Sadiq expressed a sanguine hope that the nation will make the best of the New Year.

NA Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi also felicitated the nation on the advent of the New Year.

Abbasi expressed hope that the New Year will bring happiness, joy and relief from sorrows to the nation and the world.

The deputy speaker was confident that 2018 would prove a year of peace, stability and harmony in the region and beyond.