Skipping Speakers' meet Pakistan's own decision: Mahajan

It would have been better if Pakistan had taken part in the upcoming summit of Speakers from South Asian countries, but staying from the meet was its own decision, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said today.
"It would have been better if Pakistan had confirmed participation in the summit. But it has decided to stay away... Its Pakistan's own decision. I can't comment more on this issue," she said during a press conference here.
"What can be done if they (Pakistan) are not coming. But, we will move ahead with the Speakers' meet which will discuss, among other things, what role Parliaments can play in achieving 'Sustainable Development Goals' (SDGs)," the MP from Indore said.

Mahajan, however, said representatives of Pakistan keep coming for other programmes of regional cooperation.
She said the Speaker of Myanmar's Parliament is also not coming for the conference in view of the ongoing discussion on the Budget there.
Besides India, Speakers of Parliament from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal would participate in the summit.

The two-day conference, being held here from February 18, has been jointly organised by Inter-Parliamentary Union and Indian Parliament.
She said the summit will discuss subjects relevant to South Asia, including identifying resources for implementation of SDGs and opportunities for Parliamentary cooperation.
Besides, issues such as including gender equality as a critical factor for sustainable development and dealing effectively with challenges of climate change and natural disasters would also be discussed, Mahajan informed.

To a question, the Lok Sabha Speaker said the issue of "terrorism" was not included in the agenda. "We have limited time and every issue can't be discussed here. Entire world is victim of terrorism and discussion on this issue is underway on several global forums."
The veteran Parliamentarian said the visiting Speakers would be taken on a tour of Mandu, a historic town in neighbouring Dhar district.
They are also likely to visit a memorial dedicated to Indian Constitution-maker B R Ambedkar in Mhow near here.