Asian MPs to meet in Gwadar on Oct 29

Around 100 lawmakers from 26 countries will take part in confab, hosted by Senate of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Around 100 parliamentarians from 26 countries will converge on Gwadar this week to discuss ways and means to make the Asian region more inclusive and development-oriented in a conference organised and hosted by the Senate of Pakistan.

The Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) Standing Committee on Political Affairs and the Special Committee for the Creation of an Asian Parliament (SCCAP) will meet in the port city from Oct 29 to 31.

The meetings in Gwadar – the future hub of Asian trade – aim at bringing parliamentary leadership of the region together in promoting peace and development, said a statement issued by the Senate.

“The purpose of holding APA meetings at Gwadar is to highlight economic and strategic importance of Pakistan as well as communicating a positive image that Pakistan is a peaceful country with massive investment potential,” it added.

In an interview to Daily Express, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani said it is a big honour for Pakistan to host the international conference.  “Gwadar is the future commercial hub of Pakistan as it will promote trading operations in the Central Asia and the Middle East. The port will not only boost the economy of Pakistan but also lead to financial prosperity for the entire Asian region,” he said.

Senate chairman said delegates and parliamentary members from 26 countries including Iran, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, France, Saudi Arabia and Oman are participating at the conference.

“The conference would hold discussions on overall situation of the region including the situation of peace, business and trade. The conference would also hold talks on economic development through mutual efforts,” he said.

According to Sanjrani, organizers chose Gwadar as venue for the important meeting so that the participants could appreciate and promote the significance of the port city.

“The conference is being held in Gwadar in order to promote the business and trading significance of the city. The Senate wants to send the message to the world that the conference has been successful and that Gwadar is offering great opportunities to its investors and that it is a peaceful area.”

He said the conference would also allow parliamentary leaders of different countries to discuss measures for promoting peace and economic prosperity in the region.

“The committee for political affairs would present resolutions aimed at creating opportunities for Asian governments to get closer to each other for mutual development through cooperation and support.”

The chairman said the Senate of Pakistan has always played an effective role in the Asian Parliamentary Assembly. He said the Senate has played its role in providing opportunities to parliaments of Asia to sit together and discuss ways to promote peace and development within the region.

He said invitation for the conference has been sent to all political leaders including the prime minister. An invitation was also sent to India but no response has been received.

“The Asian countries have a good chance to kick start development of the region from Balochistan. We can transform Gwadar into a free trade zone with single currency and joint investment.

“The conference is a step towards formation of a parliament on the model of the European Union. The participation of over hundred delegates is in itself a testimony of success for the conference,” he said.

According to the Senate’s statement, the gathering will deliberate on seven draft resolutions tabled by Pakistan. The resolutions pertain to several regional issues, ranging from rule of law and good governance to the plight of the Palestinian people.

The drafts include a resolution titled ‘Towards an Asian Parliament’ which was tabled by Pakistan during a special committee meeting in Islamabad in March, last year, seeking to fulfil the objectives of SCCAP.

The lawmakers will discuss the draft on good governance, meant to ensure human rights, transparency, right to information and popular participation in government. The participants will deliberate on the rule of law and judicial empowerment and deplore acts of violence, genocides and war crimes.

They will also underscore importance of assertive role of parliaments in public affairs. Another resolution stresses the importance of friendly relations among the Asian nations, fostering closer coordination between the APA members and adopting common legislation on issues of mutual interest.

Formed in 2006 to promote peace and human rights in Asia, the APA now comprises 42 member parliaments and 16 observers. The Senate of Pakistan assumed the APA presidency in December 2013.