Ayaz Sadiq stresses need for economic collaboration with Australia, Canada

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that Pakistan desires economic collaboration through sustained engagement of chambers of commerce and other business forums with Australia and Canada. He expressed these views during his separate meetings with High Commissioners of Australia and Canada who called on him here at Parliament House on Friday. Wide range of issues including enhancing parliamentary and economic ties between Pakistan and their respective countries came under discussion.
Talking to the High Commissioner of Australia Margaret Adamson, the speaker remarked that Pakistan's political leadership is committed to cementing Pak-Australian political engagement for strengthening democratic governance. He expressed satisfaction over the pace of political and economic cooperation between the two countries. He underlined the need for expansion of economic relations through sustained engagement of chambers of commerce and other business forums.
He urged the need for substantial and concrete engagement on pressing issues prevalent in the region and beyond. The speaker said that Pakistani political and military leadership has demonstrated an unflinching commitment to eliminate terrorism from its soil. Referring to cementing cooperation with Australia, the speaker remarked that parliamentary engagement between the two nations is the bedrock of robust relation between the two nations and further urged the need for regular exchange of Parliamentary delegations.
Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson endorsed Sadiq's proposal for regular exchange of parliamentary delegations and cementing people-to-people contacts. She acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifices in global war on terror and added that Australia would continue to support Pakistan at the regional as well as international level in its endeavors for promoting peace, democracy and economic development.
Talking to the Canadian High Commissioner Perry John Calderwood, the speaker said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Canada and keen to further strengthen them through parliamentary cooperation and people-to-people and economic contacts. He underlined the need for enhanced interaction between the parliamentarians of the two countries. He said that relations between Pakistan and Canada are based on mutual goodwill and understanding as well as converging views on important global issues. Sadiq said that mutual understanding and cooperation will further strengthen relations between both the countries. Democracy in Pakistan is fully entrenched and the present government is committed to the welfare of its people, he added. The speaker said that present Parliament comprises progressive forces and they are on the same page on issues concerning masses.
Canadian High Commissioner Perry John Calderwood appreciated the speaker's remarks and said that his country also attaches importance to its relations with Pakistan and wants to further strengthen it though diversification of economic and parliamentary ties. He assured the speaker that engagement between parliamentarians would actively continue in the days ahead. He appreciated the contributions of Pakistani expatriates residing in Canada in strengthening the economy and development of Canada.