GENEVA, Oct 1: Pakistan is particularly concerned about the worsening security situation in Iraq and there is a need for early restoration of peace and stability in that country, says Speaker of the National Assembly Chaudhry Amir Hussain.

He was addressing the 111th session of the Inter parliamentary union Assembly here on Thursday on the 'Alarming situation in Iraq and the role of the parliamentarians in restoring peace and stability.'

He said: "it is our responsibility to ensure that this process and timetable for Iraq's political transition to democratic government remains on track." He called for ensuring the transfer of power to the elected representatives of the Iraqi people and transition to a democratic government to ensure sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq.

The speaker said: "The people of Pakistan are particularly concerned about the security situation in Iraq which has worsened since April 2004." The people of Pakistan, he said, "are shocked to see increasing anarchy, killings and extreme violence.

Abduction and killing of foreigners and local Iraqis working for foreign companies has spread fear and abhorrence of acts that are contrary to the teachings of Islam."

He said: "we have also been touched by this gruesome violence in the recent killings in Iraq of two innocent inhabitants of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and, there fore, have a particular interest in restoration of peace and stability in Iraq not only as a part of the comity of nations but also as Muslims."

Amir Hussain referred to the UN Security Council resolution 1546 (2004) which endorsed the proposed timetable of political transition to a democratic government.

The resolution called for formation of a sovereign interim government of Iraq by June 30, 2004; convening of a national Conference reflecting the diversity of the Iraqi society; holding of democratic elections no later than Jan 31, 2005 to a transitional National Assembly having responsibility of forming of a transitional government of Iraq and drafting a permanent Constitution for Iraq.

It, he said, would lead to a constitutionally elected government by Dec 31, 2005. Chaudhry Amir Hussain said as parliamentarians, it was their responsibility to ensure that this process and timetable for Iraq's political transition to democratic government remains on track.

"We should use our networks within the Iraqi political sphere to ensure transfer of power to the elected representatives of the Iraqi people. This will confirm the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq," he added.

The Speaker also held bilateral meetings with leaders of various parliamentary delegations on the sidelines of the Assembly. He met Remzi Cetin, leader of the Turkish parliamentary delegation and expressed Pakistan's desire for further strengthening parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

He held a bilateral meeting was held with the leader of the delegation of Saudi Arabia Abdulrahman Al-Jafary. They agreed for regular contacts and collaboration on important regional and international issues.

The Speaker held a bilateral meeting with the leader of the Iranian delegation Manouchehr Mottaki, member of the Islamic Consulate Council and reviewed Pak-Iran parliamentary interaction.

He met with Amar Saadani, President of the People's National Assembly of Algeria and discussed matters of mutual interest in the parliamentary field. In his meeting with M. Kayveas, leader of the Malaysian Parliamentary delegation, both agreed to continue and strengthen cooperation between the two countries through promoting interaction between the parliamentary institutions.

Pakistan in its deliberations on "role of Parliaments in preserving biodiversity" stated that the parliament is fully conscious of its responsibilities in the context of biodiversity.

Chaudhry Amir Hussain is leading a 7-member parliamentary delegation to the 111th IPU assembly between Sept 28 and October 1. More than 450 parliamentarians from 115 countries, including 29 speakers of parliaments and 133 women parliamentarians, are participating in the assembly. -APP