ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani proposed on Friday that a regional seminar should be held on terrorism at which regional countries should share their experiences in countering the menace.

He said most countries in South Asia had directly or indirectly suffered at the hands of terrorism.

The Secretary General of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Martin Chungong, who is on a three-day visit to Pakistan, called on the chairman and appreciated the idea, saying “the IPU has obtained the mandate and a regional seminar is on the cards as terrorism is the serious most threat to international peace”.

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Mr Rabbani said Pakistan was in the process of developing better ties with parliaments of the world and “we are looking forward to enhancing relations with the Inter-Parliamentary Union,” said a press release.

The chairman said he was encouraged by the recent visits of the Kuwaiti and Maldivian speakers of their legislatures and discussions held during the Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan.

He said Pakistan held the presidency of Asian Parliamentary Union and the former chairman Senate had floated the idea of an Asian Parliament, adding that in order to fortify the idea, he would need the input from the IPU on the right model for the Asian Parliament.

Mr Rabbani said Pakistan was committed to the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals and the government was ready to brief the IPU secretary general on the country’s status.

Mr Chungong appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in improving relations with different parliaments in the world.

Mr Chungong said he could provide assistance in reviving cooperation between the UNDP, IPU and the parliaments.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2015

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