![tribune tribune](https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/Femida-Mirza-Photo-INP/Femida-Mirza-Photo-INP.jpg)
Talking to Adam Thomson, British High Commissioner in Islamabad, who called on her at the Parliament House, Wednesday, she said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with the UK as both countries have commonalities of views on regional and global issues.
Mirza said that Pakistan believed in peace and stability in the region because on these twin factors hinged development and prosperity of the region’s countries.
She said that Pakistan wanted good relations with its neighbours through more communication and enhanced exchange of parliamentary delegations and talks.
She said that Pakistan is committed to fighting terrorism and extremism. Illiteracy, poverty and unemployment, she said, were the main causes of these menaces.
She viewed that the bane of extremism and terrorism could be curbed by eliminating their root causes. By establishing educational institutions, creating job opportunities and generating economic activities in the Fata region extremism in the area could be checked. Such opportunities will also help in the uplift of womenfolk in Fata.
She told the British envoy that women parliamentary caucus was working for the empowerment and welfare of womenfolk in the country. The members of the caucus have initiated a number of bills in parliament for women’s rights, including the Women Protection Bill 2010.
Adam Thomson said that Pakistan was an important country and was playing a vital role in the war against terror. He said Pakistan was also a stabilising factor in the region’s progress and prosperity.
He said that Pakistani community in the UK was playing an important role in Britain’s prosperity and economic development. The UK High Commissioner extended assistance for enhancing the capabilities of standing committees of the National Assembly.
Published in the Express Tribune, June 17th, 2010.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ