Pak, Hungary for efforts to promote interfaith harmony
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—Both Pakistan and Hungary are committed to peace and harmony in the world and have identity of views on many regional and global issues.
These observations were made during a meeting between Chairman Senate Mohammedmian Soomro and Hungarian Foreign Minister Dr Kinga Goncz held at the Parliament House here on Tuesday eve.
The two sides underlined the need to forge closer relations between the two countries and to share each other's experiences in various fields. The two sides also shared common a desire to further expand andconsolidate their relations in the cultural, economic and educational fields.
Talking to the Hungarian Foreign Minister, the Chairman Senate said Pakistan is committed to combat terror in all forms and manifestations and this commitment is based on principles which are in conformity with its own policy objectives and national aspirations.
Apprising the Hungarian dignitary of the rationale of the government policies, the Chairman said at present it is focusing on improving the quality of life of the people. Promotion of health and education facilities and gender mainstreaming are the major priorities. We are making efforts to accord greater representation to women in all elected bodies including the Parliament, said the Chairman. He informed the Hungarian Foreign Minister that at present women representation in Pakistan stood 21% and 33% in the Parliament and Local government respectively which is even higher than many developed countries. He said there are 44000 women councilor in the country.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister said that time is ripe for promoting interfaith harmony and intercultural contacts to lay the foundations of a harmonious world order.
The Chairman also briefed the delegation on the role and functions of the Parliament with special reference to the process of legislation. He also enunciated the matters relating to the functioning of the local government system introduced in 2001. The local body system, he said, focused on empowering the people at the gross root level.
The Chairman expressed the view that Pakistan has a very rich cultural heritage and it can offer to the world this heritage in tourism which can also be a source of bringing people of different cultures closer to one another. The Chairman appreciated the fact that Dr. Kinga Goncz is the first Hungarian Foreign to undertake a visit to Pakistan during the last 40 years and underscored the need for high level exchanges which provide an impetus to bilateral relations.