Miffed over 'negative public statements of leadership', Pak boycotts IPU Assembly in Dhaka

Islamabad [Pakistan], Mar. 31 (ANI): Pakistan has boycotted the 136th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, which is due to begin from April 1 in Dhaka. Pakistan has cited continued malicious and uncalled for propaganda and unfriendly attitude of the Bangladesh Government against the people and the state behind this move. A 10-member parliamentary delegation from Pakistan was due to participate in the international parliamentary moot under the leadership of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. In his statement, Sadiq said that members of the National Assembly have noted with dismay and disappointment the continuing actions and negative public statements of the leadership, public officials and media of Bangladesh despite Pakistan's restraint and overtures to the country, reports the Express Tribune. "I have, therefore, decided not to travel to Bangladesh as a visit at this point will not serve the purpose," he said. Recalling positive actions of friendship from Islamabad, Sadiq said it was in this spirit that Pakistan's parliamentary delegation had unanimously voted in favour of Bangladesh Speaker Dr Sharmeen Chaudhary for the post of the chairperson of the Executive Committee of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Cameroon in 2014. Dr Chaudhary had won this election with a narrow margin of 82 votes in favour and 78 against with 10 votes of Pakistan going in her favour. These positive actions of friendship were again repeated when Bangladesh's candidate Abdul Sabour Chaudhary was voted by Pakistan to become Inter Parliamentary Union's President in 2014 while the same level of cooperation was extended through the platforms of Parliamentary Union of Islamic Countries and the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, he added. "However, it is noted with much regret that the friendly gestures were never reciprocated in the same coin. The speaker of Bangladesh did not visit Pakistan despite repeated invitations," the speaker noted. Bangladesh also boycotted all international parliamentary moots, organised by the parliament of Pakistan during the last two years despite personal requests by the highest parliamentary leadership to the speaker of Bangladesh. This includes the SAARC Young Parliamentarians Conference in August 2016, the International Women Parliamentarians Conference 2017 and the Asian Parliamentary Assembly in 2017. "All such dedicated efforts, unfortunately, went in vain and Pakistan was time and again targeted and maligned. Such hostile environment would not promote the interest of any side. It was, therefore decided, with a heavy heart, not to undertake a visit to Bangladesh at this time," he added. (ANI)