Pakistan keen to use Sri Lanka as role model
Sandasen Marasinghe and Rasika Somaratne
Pakistan is concentrating as to how the Sri Lankan experience could
be obtained to build a vibrant democracy and political stability in
Pakistan, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Executive Committee
Vice President and Pakistan National Assembly member Dr Nafisa Shah said
yesterday.
Dr Shah, a delegate at the the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary
Conference, told the media at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial
International Conference Hall that she discussed the matter with Speaker
Chamal Rajapaksa and Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody.
She said Pakistan too faces problems among states and the experiences
of Sri Lanka could be of more benefit to Pakistan to strengthen
democracy in their country.
“We highly appreciate the manner how Sri Lanka defeated terrorism to
uplift democracy. We heard President Mahinda Rajapaksa describe at the
opening of the CPA conference how the country fought a very difficult
war against terrorism,” Dr Shah said. She said they genuinely appreciate
what he said of the politics of Human Rights. He said some countries
should not be allowed to use Human Rights as a “buzz word” to impose an
agenda on other countries.
Dr Nafisa said President Mahinda Rajapaksa is extremely charismatic
and has done well for Sri Lanka. Post- war development is commendable,
she said.
Dr Nafisa said development in the North and East are transparent and
the President had invited all to visit the North and East.
She said Sri Lanka attempted various approaches to end the three
decade conflict.
“Sri Lanka resumed discussions and attempted to get international
mediators and eventually decided to end the issue in their own way and
it became fruitful. However, Sri Lanka’s administration faced a big
challenge of receiving refugees and and also the issue of the IDPs.
However, the issues are solved successfully.”
She said Commonwealth promotes and strengthens democratic values
among Commonwealth countries. |