ISLAMABAD: High Commissioner of Australia to Pakistan Mr Neil Hawkins, called on Federal Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada here in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The Minister underscored the decades long friendly relations and mutual cooperation between the two countries. The two sides also exchanged views on enhancing the bilateral ties and cooperation in many fields including education, trade and particularly in the area of human rights.
The Minister briefed the envoy on the current human rights situation in Pakistan. He said we have made many improvements in this regard especially with the help and guidance of international agencies and friendly countries like Australia.
He mentioned about the pragmatic policy reforms initiated by the government to have improvements in the human rights situation with a special focus on less privileged segments i.e., children, women, persons with disabilities and transgender persons.
The Minister stated that Pakistan Army is very vigilant on human rights issues in the border areas of country where terrorist element have made serious troubles in the past but now situations are coming under control due to the strict vigilance and a clear shift in policy towards terrorists and miscreants.
He said we have always welcomed suggestions from brotherly countries and shown our commitment to fulfill international obligations in the subject of human rights. The Minister commended Australian support for relief and rehabilitation of flood affectees in Pakistan.
He also stressed the need to revisit the policy and some changes in the rules for genuine Pakistani scholars who got study visas on merit in Australia. Mr Neil Hawkins shared his views about the deep rooted friendly relations between Pakistan and Australia. He also shared that Pakistan has been placed at number seven in the list of countries for those study visas and scholarship have been awarded by Australian Government and the number is continuously improving every year.
The envoy said strong Pakistani Diaspora and students in Australia are playing an important role in bringing the two countries closer. He also conveyed few concerns over some human rights issues. He said Australia is always beside Pakistan to combat with these challenges. He hoped to see Pakistan as a strong, democratic and prosperous country.
