Saber disappointed at Pakistan's absence

Inter-Parliamentary Union President (IPU) Saber Hossain Chowdhury yesterday said he was disappointed at the absence of Pakistan from South Asian Speakers' Summit.

“Even if the governments don't talk or stop talking, lawmakers should engage in dialogues,” he added.

The conference began at central Indian city of Indore yesterday.

“Although Pakistan in not here on this occasion, we are hopeful that it will participate in the upcoming events," said the IPU president.

Advocating enhanced cooperation between parliamentarians of different countries, he said a possibility should be explored of establishing joint parliamentarian groups of South Asia for working together on common challenges.

He said the participants of the South Asian Speakers' forum want to create a platform which will help the member countries achieve their respective national objectives.

“There is a need for establishing a functioning political mechanism which will help and complement each other in achieving national goals as well,” he said.

Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury is also attending the two-day summit.