UK, Pak MPs sign ‘Declaration of Friendship’ to deepen parliamentary ties

ISLAMABAD - UK and Pakistani parliamentarians have signed a ‘Declaration of Friendship’ in Pakistan’s National Assembly, recognising the strong bonds between both nations and laying out plans to further enhance the relationship between the two Parliaments.

“The UK supports the people of Pakistan in a wide range of projects and activities. This declaration will deepen this relationship,” the British High Commission in Islamabad said in a statement.

“The declaration aims to explore several key ways the role of parliament can be strengthened through capacity building and sharing best practice,” it added.

On January 23, a UK Commonwealth Parliamentary Group had arrived in Pakistan on a six-day visit to ’strengthen existing parliamentary links’ and to ‘learn more about the work that the UK does’ to support the civil society, education and the youth in Pakistan.

Roger Gale MP, leader of the delegation said: “As Commonwealth Parliamentarians we are all fully committed to the cause of parliamentary democracy and the belief that only through the ballot box and courteous debate, will the challenges that face us all be resolved.”

He said the delegation’s visit to the National and Provincial Assemblies in Pakistan had enabled them to “learn more about the challenges our Pakistani parliamentary colleagues face in their daily work as elected representatives.”

“This Declaration of Friendship that we have signed today will help us strengthen the partnership between our Parliaments to enable us to work closer together to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes,” he added. (ANI)