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Event Title: Chairman Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani in a Meeting with European Union Special Envoy for The Promotion of Freedom of Religion of Belief (FORB), Mr. Frans Van Daele at Parliament House, Islamabad
Event Date: 2024-09-12
Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan highly values its relationship with European Union and considered EU as an important partner to boost and diversify multilateral and multi-dimensional cooperation for mutual benefit.
The Chairman Senate expressed these views during a meeting with Frans Van Daele, EU Special Envoy on the promotion of Freedom of Religion and Belief at the Parliament House on Thursday. "We are committed to transforming the relationship into mutually beneficial strategic partnership", the chairman Senate said. He also thanked EU for its support on GSP plus and called for further broadening the mutually beneficial ties.
The Chairman Senate further observed that as a part of Pakistan-EU joint commission, a sub group on democracy, rule of law and human rights has been established for exchange of views on these matters. He said that domestic human rights architecture is robust, underpinned by progressive laws as well as sound implementation frameworks and Pakistan is fully determine to protect and advance basic human rights of all its citizens. He said that we believe in interfaith harmony and steps have been taken to promote religious harmony at all levels. Minorities, he said, are playing an active role in the development of Pakistan and they have been given representation in the parliament where members from the minority communities are playing active role in legislation. He observed that Pakistan is a multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic country with rich traditions of religious tolerance, understanding and respect for each other's religious and cultural values.
Gilani said that Interfaith Harmony ministry was established during his tenure as Prime Minister and that the government has taken a number of steps including legislation to bring minorities into the mainstream of national development. He further said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto gave representation to the minorities in the parliament.
The Chairman Senate further emphasized the need for enhanced people to people contacts. He said that tremendous opportunities exist for investment in Pakistan and European investors can explore possibilities of investment through joint ventures with their Pakistani counterparts. He said that international community should take cognizance of the gross human rights violations in Gaza and IIOJ&K. Chairman Senate called for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and said that brutalities in IIOJ&K must be stopped and international community must play its influence to bring an end to those atrocities.
He also highlighted the issue of Afghan refugees and called upon the international community to come forward and assist Pakistan in addressing the issue of Afghan refugees.
Leader of the EU delegation acknowledged Pakistan as an important country and expressed the desire to further expand bilateral and multilateral ties.
Senators Sherry Rehman, Molana Atta Ur Rehman, Manzoor Ahmed Kakar, Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Syed Ali Zafar and Faisal Sabzwari were also present during meeting. They also termed Pakistan -EU ties important and called for deepening relations.