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Pakistan
Association Australia Hosts a Dinner for Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi
(Coverage by: Syed Zafar Hussain, Editor-in-Chief Sada-e-Watan Sydney)
On the Evening of the Friday 28th May, The Pakistan Association of Australia (PAA) hosts a dinner at Crowne Plaza Norwest Sydney in the Honour of the visiting deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi. The Dinner was attended more than 100 Australian Pakistanis and their families. Mr.Shammas Iftikhar was MC of the PAA Dinner.
Mr. Iftikhar Rana
Mr. Azam Mohammed
The Consul General of Pakistan to Sydney Mr. Azam Mohammed Welcome Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi and hope that the visit of deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi is an excellent opportunity to further enhance the good bilateral relations of Australia & Pakistan. Mr. Azam said that I want to express my thanks and appreciation to Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi.
The President Pakistan Association Mr. Iftikhar Rana Welcome Deputy Speaker Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi and sought attention of the deputy Speaker on various problems. Mr. Rana appreciated the services of the Consulate General of Pakistan Sydney and High Commission of Pakistan Canberra but complained about the NADRA and demands of right to vote to expatriate Pakistanis.
In his Speech Deputy Speaker Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi said that Pakistan values high its relations with Australia and both the countries have similar views on regional and global issues. He said Pakistan was committed to peace and stability in region and elimination of extremism and terrorism. He further said the bane of extremism and terrorism could only be eliminated by enhancing literacy, alleviating poverty and creating employment opportunities. He also said that democracy in Pakistan was gaining strength and the government has set its priority for the welfare of people of the country. Mr.Faisal Karim Kundi appreciated Australia’s supports for restoration of democracy in Pakistan and in the fields of health, education and agriculture. Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi suggest the need for frequent exchange of parliamentary delegations between Australia & Pakistan.
Chief Guest Deputy Speaker National Assembly Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi appreciated the role of Overseas Pakistanis in supporting their motherland through their remittances and promoting a good and positive image of Pakistan in Australia and all over the world. Mr.Faisal Karim Kundi said that elected PPP Government Realizing importance of about five million overseas Pakistanis and their contribution to the national economy and PPP’s Government has taken a number of steps to ensure facilitation and welfare of the overseas Pakistanis.
Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi said that in view of repeated demand for considering the issue of right to vote to expatriate Pakistanis, Deputy Speaker said that Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani already asked to Election Commission to make arrangements for extending right of Vote to Overseas Pakistanis. He said that Overseas Pakistanis are perhaps the most valuable resource for our country. In order to encourage investment in Pakistan a number of industrial estates have been established where basic infrastructural facilities have been provided and I hope Australian Pakistanis will invest their saving in Pakistan and I am sure Consul General Mr. Azam who is a senior officer Ministry of Trade can assist and guide them better.
Deputy Speaker Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi said that I will talk with the Federal Minister of Interior about the complains regarding of NADRA. He said that currently the overseas Pakistanis receive registration forms for national identity card from internet but in near future NADRA registration facility will be available for overseas Pakistanis in all embassies across the world.
