MADINAH: Fahmida Mirza, Pakistan’s first woman Parliament speaker, said that it was for the first time that the country’s two major political parties in the country were forging an alliance to form the government.
Speaking to Arab News, she said there is no conflict among the ruling parties, adding that the Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League have been working for the independence of the judiciary and reinstating the judges deposed by President Pervez Musharraf.
“If at all there is any difference, it is only in the way of handling the issue of deposed judges and I believe that it will be solved in the appropriate time,” she said.
Speaking about the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, she said the forces that do not want a stable government in Pakistan were behind it. “I am proud to be the first parliamentary speaker in the Islamic world,” Fahmida said. “At the same time, I consider it a big responsibility and challenge.” Fahmida came to Madinah with her family to visit the Prophet’s Mosque. Her husband, Zulfiqar Mirza, who is interior minister in the Sindh Province, accompanied her.
Zulfiqar said the PPP, MQM and ANP have formed a united government in the province, adding that the government was doing well. “In the recent past the province was facing so many problems, especially crimes and insecurity. Since I took charge as the interior minister things have improved considerably,” he said.
Zulfiqar said the government has increased salaries of security officers who have been provided with health insurance and promotion. “In the past they were not receiving such benefits and incentives,” he said.
