UK Foreign Secretary pays tribute to Pakistani women鈥檚 rights campaigners
The British Foreign Secretary has paid tribute to Pakistani women鈥檚 rights and human rights campaigners on the final day of his visit to Pakistan.
Mr Hague hosted a dinner at the High Commission for prominent Pakistani women who have campaigned on women鈥檚 and human rights.
Guests included documentary filmmaker Shameen Obaid Chinoy, whose film about a British doctor who helps acid burns victims won Pakistan鈥檚 first Oscar and members of the Women鈥檚 Parliamentary Caucus.
The British Foreign Secretary also met opposition leaders to highlight the importance of credible and inclusive elections. Following a meeting yesterday evening with Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan, Mr Hague this morning also met PML-N President Nawaz Sharif at Punjab House in Islamabad.
Commenting on women鈥檚 rights in Pakistan, the UK Foreign Secretary Mr Hague said:
鈥� It was an honour to meet such inspiring people who are serving their country by campaigning for the rights of women and other excluded groups. I pay tribute to their courage and commitment to speak up on important issues where it is much easier just to stay silent.
Commenting on the forthcoming elections, Mr Hague said:
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鈥淭hese elections will be a critical moment in Pakistan鈥檚 democratic history. The United Kingdom looks forward to elections which are credible and acceptable to the Pakistani people. A strong, stable, constitutional democracy is firmly in Pakistan鈥檚 interests. It is critical for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to democracy. International partners, and the Pakistani people, will be watching progress closely. _
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鈥淭he United Kingdom welcomes the Government鈥檚 public commitment to holding free and fair elections in accordance with the constitution. We call on all parties to ensure elections are free from violence and fraud, and that citizens are able to vote without intimidation. It is particularly important that women and other excluded groups are able to vote. Their participation is vital to Pakistan鈥檚 future development and democracy.鈥� _