Islamabad - Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has termed Saeeda Warsi, the former cabinet minister and chairperson of UK’s Conservative Party, ‘Muslim women’s role-model and a bridge between the east and the west.’
The speaker made these remarks during a call-on by the visiting British Member of the House of Lords on him in his chamber on Tuesday.
The speaker stressed that leaders like Saeeda Warsi had an important role to play in portraying the true image of Islam as a progressive and forward-looking message.
He further called for a continued dialogue between civilisations and urged Warsi to lead the course.
The two leaders shared views on the rise of extremism and in this regard Ayaz Sadiq briefed the baroness on Operation Zarb-e-Azb and the enactment of the 21st amendment.
The speaker said that the establishment of the military courts was sanctioned by the Parliament keeping in view of the gruesome attack on a school in Peshawar had left the nation with little choice.
While strongly condemning the Peshawar carnage and the subsequent terrorist attacks, the baroness praised the resolve of the Pakistani nation and said that she had found the Pakistani nation on one page in combating terrorism.
She agreed with the Sadiq that in such critical moments the world community must support Pakistan’s democratic government in its fight for global security.
Referring to her interaction with the youth in Lahore, the baroness said that it was heartening to see the political awakening of youth. She said that democracy is ever evolving process so it is time for all sides of the political divide to show maturity to built systems.
The speaker also informed the Saeeda of his personal efforts in getting a unanimous resolution passed from the 53-member parliamentary union of the Islamic countries in its recently concluded session in Istanbul, Turkey.
The speaker also noted that Warsi, a British with Pakistani origins, made several headlines during her carrier when she was elevated to be the youngest member of the British Upper House and later being the first Muslim to become a cabinet minister under Prime Minister David Cameron.
It was, however, her principled resignation over the Gaza standoff in 2014, which earned Warsi worldwide respect and admiration, said Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
The baroness thanked the speaker and assured him of her continued support to democracy in Pakistan. The speaker also handed over an invitation letter to the baroness to attend the 23rd March Pakistan Day celebrations.