Representing Pakistan: MPs laud counter-terrorism efforts

WASHINGTON: Pakistan was represented at a US think tank by two parliamentarians whose parties are at war, and a woman MP from a conservative religious political party. Awais Leghari of PML-N, Shafqat Mahmood of PTI, and Aasiya Nasir of JUI-F were speaking at “Countering Pakistan’s Extremists: Can National Assembly Take the Lead” arranged by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). They said Pakistan is vigorously fighting to wipe out terrorism and extremism with the full support of the people. The MNAs said that democracy was taking root in Pakistan and that the elected parliament had begun to influence government’s policies, specifically citing the resolution on Yemen. The judiciary, according to them, is independent as is the press.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2015.