Terror war, floods worsen challenges: Naek

ISLAMABAD: Chairman of Senate Farooq H. Naek said on Friday that Pakistan’s fight against terrorism and unprecedented natural disasters like last year’s monsoon floods have exacerbated its economic challenges, but it is determined to overcome these difficulties through sustained efforts, sound management, financial discipline and consistent reforms.

He was talking a 10-member delegation of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association-UK Branch led by Mr. Roger Gale, MP, which called on him at the Parliament House.

The Senate Chairman said that Commonwealth parliaments must work together to achieve inter-faith harmony among their people.

He said promoting respect and mutual understanding between communities, faiths and ethnic groups within Commonwealth countries and beyond is necessary for peaceful co-existence in the world.

“We hope that as we work together to overcome the extraordinary challenges posed by our times, we would be able to seize the opportunities and leave a better tomorrow for our children,” he said.

Naek underscored the need for enhanced exchange of parliamentary delegations to promote people-to-people contacts. Such visits will help promote greater cooperation between the two parliaments, he said.

Apprising the delegation of the damage and devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan, the Chairman Senate said it was the biggest human tragedy in the history of the country.

Floods have left the entire agriculture sector in a shambles, livestock have been equally devastated, standing crops worth billion of dollar have been destroyed, he added.

The Chairman Senate said victims of this immense tragedy need solidarity, concrete help and assistance from the world community.

He thanked UK for the support and assistance provided by them in the wake of unprecedented floods.

Roger Gale and other members of the delegation thanked the Senate Chairman for warm welcome and hospitality extended to them and assured all possible help and assistance in consolidating the Pakistan - UK relations.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairman Senate, Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali, Leader of the House in the Senate, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari and Senators Haji Muhammad Adeel, Dr. Saeeda Iqbal, Mrs. Nilofar Bakhtiar, Abbas Khan Afridi and Secretary Senate Raja Muhammad Amin.