18 September 2004	Saturday	02 Shaban 1425

ISLAMABAD, Sept 17: Parliamentarians must play their due role for the development of democratic institutions, besides addressing social issues like education, health and human rights , says United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Region Torkel L. Patterson.

He was talking to parliamentarians during his visit to the office of Parliamentarians Commission on Human Rights of Pakistan (PCHR) here on Friday. Torkel L. Patterson appreciated the role of Pakistan in war against terrorism, adding that US and Pakistan had common cause of fighting terrorism.

He apprised parliamentarians about the assistance being provided by the US government to Pakistan in different social sectors. He said that US would continue to provide support for the development of democratic institutions, health, infrastructure sector and work with organisations like PCHR.

Mr Patterson said that extremism and terrorism were dangerous for all societies and there were extremist elements in all religions and societies, including Christians, Jews, and Muslims etc.

Earlier, Chairman PCHR, Riaz Fatyana briefed the guest and informed him about Commission's activities. Mr Fatyana expressed the hope that the US would continue its social work role in the region, adding that Pakistani parliamentarians would work with US initiatives, especially in the fields of human rights, education and social sector.

Fatyana while talking about human rights in Pakistan maintained that situation was gradually improving, adding that PCHR would continue to keep a watch on human rights situation in Pakistan. - APP