ISLAMABAD - Peaceful Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan and the region, said National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser in meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan in Parliament House.
“A peaceful Afghanistan can also serve as the gateway to Central Asia and beyond for Pakistani trade,” said Asad Qaiser.
The speaker, talking to the ambassador, said that Pakistan and Afghanistan both were intertwined in religious, cultural and historic bonds and shared common destiny. He said that Parliament had taken the lead and proposed various changes in the trade and visa policy for Afghanistan. He was sure that these steps would bring both the countries closer. He asked the ambassador to play his role in that regard.
The speaker expressed his satisfaction on the engagement of all stakeholders in Afghan peace process. The ambassador apprised the speaker about the recent changes in policy for Afghanistan which he said were mainly due to the persistent efforts of the Speaker National Assembly.
He said that Afghan Government and people had welcomed Pakistan’s steps for visa and trade facilitation for Afghan Nationals. He said that he was in touch with Afghan political and government functionaries and he could sense their eagerness to enhance bilateral ties and cooperation in diverse sectors of economy.
Mainstreaming destitute segment of society is collective responsibility: Qaiser A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust (KORT) and Capital Development Authority (CDA) at Parliament House to make Islamabad disabled friendly. The MoU was signed by KORT Chairman and CDA Director General.
National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, after witnessing signing of the MOU, said that taking care of needy and destitute was collective responsibility. “This segment of the society is marginalized and need our care and attention,” he said and emphasised to take initiatives to cater the needs of street children. He appreciated performance of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Disable Persons which is the ever first Special Parliamentary Committee to deliberate upon and take policy initiatives for the welfare of orphans, street children and disable segment of the Society. He said that Parliament House was also in process of being made disabled friendly. The stressed on all government departments to get their buildings for disabled audit for making them more friendly.
The Speaker said that the present government envisions a true welfare state based on Islamic principles of justice, equality and respect for humanity. He said that various measures have been adopted for welfare of the marginalised segments. He said that through implementation of this MoU CDA and KORT would work together to make Islamabad disability friendly.
MNA Ms. Nafeesa Khattak appreciated the efforts of Speaker Asad Qaiser to take pain for the welfare of the needy and destitute. Chairman KORT Chaudry Muhammad Akhtar appreciated the cause of Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser and assured to collaborate with CDA to make Islamabad a First ever disable friendly city of the country.