Ms Beck main objective of the visit was to get feedback on the Pakistan /Afghanistan political situation. She shared that in Germany there is a big debate and majority of German public are not keen to send any more troops since no positive or tangible results of the war is seen.
In order to share with the German media, public, and government she wanted different perspectives from Pakistan.
During her visit she was able to interact with the director (Mr I. A. Rahman) of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. She raised many questions about how this commission is investigating the human rights violations in the FATA and Swat etc. How the lobbying is done? what kind of reports are available?
Are they in favour of the dialogues with the Islamists, or they favour the military operation? What is the stand point of the commission on the ISAF Troops in Afghanistan should they continue or with draw?
Ms Beck also visited Shirkat Gah women resource center (partner of Heinrich-Boll- Stiftung) She was introduced to the National, Regional and International work of the organization. It touched upon the various advocacy campaigns on women rights, which includes putting pressure on the governments to implement whatever has been signed on the International conventions’ like CEDAW etc.
The discussion also touched the issues of present military operation in Pakistan and the plight of internally displaced people. The wave of extremism and its impact on women and on their work was also shared.
The questions regarding the continuation of the troops in Afghanistan or there with drawl was also taken up and Ms Farida Shaheed one of the directors of the organization promised to circulate this question amongst the (WLUML) network of Women Living Under Muslim Laws and would forward their responses.
Citizen commission for Human Development (CCHD) partner of Heinrich-Boll- Stiftung organized a meeting with the young parliamentarians from Punjab.
Ms Beck interaction with the parliamentarians was quiet intense where she had the opportunity of knowing these parliamentarians and answered many of their queries. Some of the questions raised by the parliamentarians were the role of Green party towards supporting the energy sector in Pakistan. Some inquired on how can women lobby on women issues in the parliament? Some questions were raised regarding AF/PAC policy and green party’s stand on it.
Ms Beck shared many of her experiences as a parliamentarian and explained that West is not one entity, different countries have different historical background therefore west should not be taken as one.
Punjab university students close to Heinrich-Boll- Stiftung gathered a group of students from various disciplines to meet Ms Beck. The discussion revolved around, how are the young generation analyzing the present political situation? and how they look in to the challenges faced by the country.
Students had different perspectives, some blamed the Americans and America drone attacks on Pakistani soil. They also reflected about the presence of “Blackwater” in Pakistan. Some blamed our present government and the role of the politicians. Some were in favour of the military and some against them but by in large they agree to the present military action in Waziristan as no dialogues were successful.
Ms Beck explained her motives of visiting Pakistan and said she would share these perspectives in German Government .
Ms Beck was also able to meet some intellectuals, scholars, political analysts like Dr Hassan Askari Razvi, Former Foreign Secretary Mr Shamshad Ahmad Khan and Ms Rubina Saigol.
Ms Beck was introduced to the historical monuments in Lahore, like Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, etc and was also taken to Wagah Border where she was able to see the flag lowering ceremony.
All the meetings, discussions and interactions were very well received. It was a two way street where everybody benefitted and certainly paved a way for fostering better relations between Germany and Pakistan.
Report of the visit to Pakistan (Islamabad and Lahore) by Marieluise Beck
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