NA speaker highlights 'parliamentary diplomacy' in meeting with British counterpart

• Parliament can act as bridge between our people, says NA speaker.
• Collaboration among parliamentarians will 'strengthen' ties: Hoyle.
• Sadiq says Pakistan focusing on socio-economic development laws.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq highlighted the importance that Pakistan attaches to parliamentary diplomacy, sharing democratic experiences, international practices and learning democratic values, particularly those of Britain's Parliament, in his visit to the United Kingdom's House of Commons on Thursday.

As the representatives and voice of our people, the institutions had a singular responsibility to act as a bridge between our people and our institutions of governance, read a statement issued by the Pakistan High Commission in London.

The NA speaker's statement came during his meeting with the House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle in London. The meeting was also attended by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani and Pakistan High Commissioner to UK Dr Mohammad Faisal.

This was the first meeting of the speaker with his British counterpart, after assuming office.

Sir Hoyle, while welcoming the delegation, said that mutual visits and collaboration between parliamentarians will further strengthen relations between the UK and Pakistan that would manifest through welfare of the people of both countries whom the parliamentarians represent.

Both the speakers discussed the Parliamentary proceedings of running the business of the Houses and facilitating healthy debates on issues of public importance.

In the meeting with his counterpart, Sadiq said that the Pakistani Parliament was focusing on legislations related to socio-economic development, women empowerment and climate change, in particular, as per the statement.

It added that Pakistan was an active partner of UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but had been adversely affected by impact of climate change, although it had negligible contribution to the global carbon emissions.

"The Jammu and Kashmir dispute was also highlighted as a source of grave concern that required immediate resolution, as per the wishes of the Kashmiri people," the statement read.

The NA speaker also conveyed prayers and wishes for the wellbeing of King Charles III and the Princess of Wales Catherine.

He extended an invitation to Sir Lindsay Hoyle to visit Pakistan, which was graciously accepted, while arranging a friendly cricket match between the teams of both the Parliaments was also agreed.