ANKARA, 21 March 2015: Senator Muhammad Yousaf Baloch and Member National Assembly Mr. Bilal Ahmed Virk represented Pakistan in the Asia Parliamentary Assembly’s (APA) Standing Committee Meeting on Political Affairs held from 19-20 March 2015 at Ankara, Turkey. The event was hosted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Parliamentarians of Pakistan presented resolution titled “Draft Resolution on Measures for Realization of Asian Parliament” in the meeting of Standing Committee Meeting. Senator Muhammad Yousaf Baloch, while representing Senate of Pakistan said that quest for the Asian Parliament was well highlighted in the 7th Plenary of APA held Lahore in December 2014, where an important decision was taken towards creation of the Asian Parliament and Special Committee for the Creation of Asian Parliament (SCCAP). The resolution for creation of “Asian Parliament” is another step by parliament of Pakistan in its endeavor towards promoting goodwill and cordial relations among the Asian Nations and States.  

 

Mr. Bilal Virk, MNA in his remarks said Pakistan has always considered Asian Parliamentary Assembly as the institutional voice of the Asian People. APA must play its role to protect, preserve the interests, aspirations and dreams of the millions of Asian People. The resolution presented by Pakistan would prove to be a foundation stone towards the creation of an Asian Parliament. The collective efforts of all member countries of APA will bring this idea into reality, he added.

While sharing his thoughts regarding terrorism and extremism, Mr. Bilal Virk highlighted the economic impact of this scourge on Pakistan and the sacrifices made by the people and armed forces of Pakistan. He said Pakistan is a playing a key role in the international efforts against terrorism.

The APA Standing Committee on Political Affairs referred the resolution presented by Pakistan to Special Committee for the Creation of Asian Parliament (SCCAP) where it would be discussed and then forwarded to Executive Council of APA which will meet in Islamabad later this year.