Islamabad, Paksitan / PGA Headquarters, New York

PGA Secretary-General visited Islamabad and addressed the meeting of the PGA National Group, June 24, 2013. Members present: Hon. Naveed Qamar, Chair, PGA National Group, Hon. Syed Khursheed Shah, Leader of the Opposition, Nawab Yousuf Talpur, Dr. Mahreen Bhutto, Syed Zafar Ali Shah, Malik Shakir Bashir Awan, Hon. Mehmood Khan Achakzai. Members absent with apologies: Sen. Raza Rabbani, Ms. Belum Hasnain, Hon. Aftab Shaban Mirani, Muhammad Aslam Bodla, Ms. Tehmina Daultana, Mr. Shafqat Mahmood. Members of Provincial Assemblies unable to attend: Hon. Minister Mir Jan M.K. Jamali, Hon. Minister Mr. Inayatullah Khan.

Hon. Qamar welcomed the PGA Secretary-General Ms. Shazia Z. Rafi. Chair's remarks included noting a successful election and a historic transfer of a democratically elected government and parliament to a democratically elected government from the opposing party.

PGA Secretary-General thanked the Pakistan National Group for the support they have given PGA since joining the organization in 1988. In particular she highlighted the work done by the two Chairs, Hon. Dr. Noor Jehan Panezai and Hon. Naveed Qamar, MP, hosting the series on HIV/AIDs and Health Policy 2004-2007. She urged PGA members to get involved with the work on the two seminal treaties of PGA on human rights and armed violence - the International Criminal Court and the Arms Trade Treaty. Ms. Rafi announced that her term as PGA Secretary-General would be ending in December this year and that she was confident that Pakistan would remain an engaged partner of PGA in the years ahead.

A delegation from the National Group then joined the Hon. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in his Chambers where Ms. Rafi presented him with a PGA membership folder and bookmark. The Honourable Speaker agreed to the invitation of the National Group to become an honorary member. The delegation was also joined by a leading member of the PTI party Mr. Qureshi who promised to support PGA.

Hon. Qamar gave a vote of thanks to the Speaker on behalf of the group.