Canadian HC calls on Fehmida
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—The Canadian High Commissioner David B. Collins Friday called on Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza in the Parliament House.
Talking to the Ambassador the Speaker said that Pakistan values high its relations with Canada and desires to further strengthen it. She said in Pakistan the real democracy has been restored after a prolong struggle and needed to be supported by all the progressive and democratic countries of the world.
Dr. Fehmida said the new Parliament was representing the progressive forces in the country that shows the majority of out country’s population was progressive, liberal and tolerant.
She said that the unopposed election of Prime Minister, election of the Speaker with big majority, appointment of the Leader of Opposition within a month time and timely formation of NA Standing Committees evinced the desire of the parliamentarian for strengthening democratic institutions. She said that people were having great expectations from the new Parliament and it was committed to fulfill their expectations.
The Speaker apprised the ambassador that the coalition Government followed the policy of reconciliation and was taking all the political forces along with it. The Speaker said that poverty, illiteracy and unemployment were the major problems, the people of the country were confronting.
She said that enhanced cooperation with friendly countries like Canada in the economic field will help Pakistan in its programme relating to poverty alleviation and jobs provision. She appreciated the assistance by Canada given for the development in various sectors, specially during the earthquake of October 2005.
David B. Collins assured the Speaker of his government’s economic assistance and support for strengthening democracy in Pakistan. He expressed his desire for the new parliament to complete its constitutional tenure.
He also congratulated the Speaker for her election as first women speaker of Pakistan and Muslim World.