Islamabad; January, 27; A 9 member delegation of British MPs visited PILDAT Office today to talk about the role of PILDAT in the challenges facing Pakistan�s Parliament. The British MPs were joined by their Pakistani counterparts, a group of Pakistani MPs, and the two sides interacted on issues of mutual interest.

The British Parliamentary delegation was led by Mr. Roger Gale, MP, Conservative Party from North Thanet, and included Mr. Kevan Jones, MP, Labour Party from North Durham, Mr. Bob Rusell, MP, Liberal Democrat from Colchester, Mr. Simon Danczuk, MP, Labour Party from Rochdale, Ms. Yasmin Qureshi, MP, Labour Party from Bolton South East, Mr. Andrew Stephenson, MP, Conservative Party from Pendle, Lord Popat of Harrow, Conservative Party and Lord Hylton, Crossbench Party from Raymond Joliffe. The delegation also included Mr. Andrew Tuggey, DL, Secretary Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, UK Branch and Ms. Claire Bowman, CPA-UK.

Pakistani MPs who engaged in an interaction with their British counterparts included Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, MNA Pakistan People�s Party Parliamentarian, Deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan, Mr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, MNA Pakistan Muslim League-N, Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce, Mr. Baleegh-ur-Rehman, MNA Pakistan Muslim League-N and Dr. Donya Aziz, MNA Pakistan Muslim League.

Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi welcomed the delegation and said that PILDAT has been playing a very crucial role in supporting Parliament, its Committees and the individual MPs, not only in orientation and training on roles and responsibilities but also prepares objective research on key policy issues and legislation under consideration in the Parliament. PILDAT�s role as an independent and objective think tank in strengthening democracy is also appreciable.

British MPs believed that in their visit, their perceptions about Pakistan have been proved wrong. Current security situation in Pakistan and war on terror also come under discussion in the meeting. British MPs appreciated the role of Pakistan and Pakistan�s sacrifices in this effort.

Formally welcoming the British delegation to PILDAT office, Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, Executive Director PILDAT, formally introducing PILDAT said that PILDAT was founded by a group of Pakistanis living and working outside Pakistan. We at PILDAT firmly believe that Democracy is the only way forward for Pakistan while we understand that Democracy needs nurturing not only just by politicians but also by citizens to make it work and deliver. He said that PILDAT through its work tries to make a modest contribution in this regard.