ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided against participating in the 136th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, which is due to begin from April 1, 2017 in Dhaka.
A 10-member parliamentary delegation from Pakistan was due to participate in the international parliamentary moot under the leadership of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
However, the decision has been taken in view of the continued malicious and uncalled for propaganda and unfriendly attitude of the Bangladesh government against the people and the state of Pakistan.In his statement, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said that members of the National Assembly have noted with dismay and disappointment the continuing actions and negative public statements of the leadership, public officials and media of Bangladesh despite Pakistan’s restraint and overtures to the country.
“I have, therefore, decided not to travel to Bangladesh as a visit at this point will not serve the purpose,” he stated.
The speaker recalled that parliament had most sincerely laboured to harness good friendly and brotherly relations with the Parliament and people of Bangladesh.
“It was in this spirit that Pakistan’s parliamentary delegation had unanimously voted in favour of the speaker of Bangladesh Dr Sharmeen Chaudhary for the post of the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Cameroon in 2014,” he said.
Dr Chaudhary had won this election with a narrow margin of 82 votes in favour and 78 against with 10 votes of Pakistan going in her favour.