Pakistan not consulted over Saarc speakers chairman’s letter to Maldives

Islamabad: Pakistan is completely unaware and was not consulted when Chairman of the Association of Saarc Speakers and Parliamentarians Karu Jayasuriya, based in Colombo, in a letter appealed to the Speaker of the Majlis (Parliament) in the Maldives to immediately take steps to restore normalcy and respect for the rule of law in the country.

Criticising the current development, including the declaration of emergency by President Yameen, Jayasuriya, added, “The recent events impact negatively on credible and inclusive pre-elections processes with the full participation of all parties in the Maldives.”

The Association of Saarc Speakers and Parliamentarians was set up in 1992 with the vision to promote friendship and understanding, amongst the peoples of South Asia, to promote coordination and exchange of information among the parliaments and parliamentarians of Saarc countries, and to provide a forum to exchange ideas and information on parliamentary procedures and practices of the region.

The chairman wrote to Maldivian Speaker of Majlis Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, expressing concern over the ongoing political crisis in the Maldives, where democratic norms have been cast aside.

Director General (SA & Saarc) Dr Muhammad Faisal told The News, “The Foreign Office is not aware and we were not consulted before this letter was penned.” In his letter, Karu Jayasuriya has called for "finding peaceful solutions through dialogue."

Jayasuriya wrote, "We therefore, urge you, Excellency, as the Speaker of the People's Majlis to prevail upon the relevant authorities in the Maldives, including all parties concerned, to find peaceful solutions through dialogue that would ensure a functioning Majlis, where elected members are able to fulfil their constitutional duties and reassure the people of the Maldives that elections will be free and fair and that fundamental freedoms, democracy, security, stability and prosperity will be guaranteed."

Criticising the current development, including the declaration of the emergency by President Yameen, Jayasuriya, added, "The recent events impact negatively on credible and inclusive pre-elections processes with the full participation of all parties in the Maldives."

The Maldives is facing political unrest since President Yameen imposed emergency after refusing to implement a Supreme Court order of freeing imprisoned opposition leaders. The FO spokesman pointed to the ‘neutral’ position that Pakistan is maintaining when earlier Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi conveyed to Dr Mohamed Asim, the visiting Maldives foreign minister, that Pakistan “firmly adheres to the policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries and will continue to adhere to the principles of the UN charter in this regard”.

The Maldives foreign minister had travelled to several Asian capitals to garner support after the recent proclamation of emergency by Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.