APA 7th Plenary Adopts "APA Lahore Declaration" Chairman Senate for Joint Efforts to Route out Terrorism, Extremism
Media Directorate, Senate SecretariatDecember 03, 2014
APA Lahore Declaration issued by the Asian Parliamentary Assembly has condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.
The APA Lahore Declaration resolved to promote principles of friendship and cooperation in line with the Charter of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly. The Declaration was issued after a meeting of the Executive Council and a two days Plenary meeting of the 42 member states. The 23 points declaration was presented by Senator Dr. Muhammad Jehangir Badar.
Chairman Senate/ President Asian Parliamentary Assembly Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari has underscored the need for putting a joint front against terrorism and extremism; poverty eradication; integrated energy market; human rights; environment conservation; health equity; economic coordination; protecting cultural diversity and interfaith harmony; curbing corruption; protection of women rights; bridging digital divide; and drug trafficking. The Senate Chairman made these remarks while addressing the closing session of the 7th Plenary Asian Parliamentary Assembly.
He said that the issues we have pondered, the resolutions we have finalized, the decisions we have made, and the bonds of friendship and cooperation we have augmented are some of the inspiring highlights of this important event. The APA President further stated that the focus and thrust on establishment of Asian Parliament is the highlight of APA Lahore Declaration.
He said that energy shortage, equitable resources distribution, spiraling poverty, declining standards of life, absence of basic amenities, drug-trafficking, climate change, human rights violation, corruption, and violence are some of those variables, rather challenges, that have assumed gale-force ferocity. To make matters worse, the APA President remarked that transnational terrorism and extremism have thrown our development and social uplift ambitions out of kilter.
He termed the APA Lahore Declaration a historical document showing issues as well as direction. It also depicts our joint resolve towards addressing the common issues through Friendship and Cooperation as the firm bedrock to build upon strong partnerships, he added.
He said that some of the issues identified in the APA Lahore Declaration merit a special mention here for their crucial importance in effecting a workable and effective integration of Asian countries, on the successful EU model. He emphasized the need to enhance security cooperation and enhanced trade, investment and industrial integration as well as macroeconomic and financial cooperation constitute the necessary wherewithal in this Asian journey to secure regional economic stability.
He called for protecting Environment for present and future generations by adopting sustainable means of development.
He says that democratic institutions and practices are essential for fostering long-term security and stability by allowing peaceful political dialogue and contestation. Nayyer Bokhari observed that a stronger inter-parliamentary cooperation and collective action will also be of critical importance. He expressed his confidence that continuity of engagements, useful exchanges, and synergies at the APA's platform will help us chart suitable course of action and put in place conducive mechanisms to implement our joint decisions and pledges in letter and spirit.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Organizing Committee APA in his remarks termed it a land mark event and observed that the 7th Plenary of the APA under the leadership of Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari in historic city of Lahore has taken major steps. He said that APA as an organization has been institutionalized as a democratic body and that united Asians around a common vision have joined hands to decide destiny of Asia . He said that this Plenary would act as an important game changer. He underscored the need for more frequent interactions and proposed the formation of a media as well. He said that Asians can unite for a common cause. He thanked the Senate Secretariat for the remarkable work under the leadership of Secretary Senate Amjed Pervez Malik and the APA Secretariat for the support and collaboration. During the closing session reports of different committees and 19 resolutions were also presented and approved unanimously by the Plenary. At the end, the 7th Plenary adopted APA Lahore Declaration. Senator Dr. Muhammad Jahangir Badar read out the APA Lahore Declaration.
NOTE: the APA Lahore Declaration is attached separately.
