Islamabad, January 22, 2016: The Pakistan Delegation, participating in the 11th General Assembly meetings of the Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Countries, being held in the Iraqi Capital Baghdad, has called on the Muslim countries to put actions into their words when it comes to stopping terrorism and empowering women, according to the message received from Baghdad.

These observations were made by Pakistani parliamentarians during different meetings on the second day of the PUIC Conference. Amjad Ali Khan MNA, while representing Pakistan’s National Assembly in the Specialized Committee on Economic Affairs and Environment, noted with regrets that although there was a strong will to eradicate terrorism in all its manifestations from the Islamic World, the sources of funding for such extremist groups remained largely unchallenged. He noted with dismay that in the absence of a strong checks, the terrorist groups were thriving on donations, charities, drug trade, ransom money and in some cases with the sale of commodities like oil and other natural resources.

These remarks were strongly supported by delegates from Iraq, Somalia and Indonesia. It was unanimously decided to include this critical issue in the Conference agenda and Pakistan was asked to submit on behalf of the entire PUIC a draft on terror financing.

In another meeting of Women Parliamentarians, Pakistani delegates Ms. Ghulam Bibi Bharwana and Ms. Kishwar Zahra voiced concern over the thin representation of women delegates in the Conference and asked the current Chairman of the Conference, the Speaker of Iraq to take notice of this practice.

Ms. Ghulam Bibi Bharwana, while speaking on behalf of the Pakistani women parliamentarians reminded the Member states that women’s freedoms and empowerment were granted by the Holy Prophet PBUH and legends like Hazrat Khudeja and Hazrat Fatima remained role models of women empowerment for the Muslim World. It, therefore, must take guidance from the practice of the Prophet (PBUH) and must not remain hostage to age-old biases of customs and traditions. She also highlighted the achievements of women’s parliamentary caucus and the pro-women legislation undertaken by the Pakistani Parliament.