Minister
of State and Chairperson BISP MNA Marvi Memon received Speaker’s Democracy
Award from the Speaker of the House Of Commons Rt Hon John Bercow MP in Speaker
House in London. She won this prestigious award after nomination by Rt Hon Alex
Salmond MP in a tough competition with excellent nominations from all across
the globe. The Speaker’s Democracy Award is an internationally focused award
which aims to celebrate individuals who through their leadership and personal
courage have made an outstanding contribution to the development of democratic
societies.
Speaker RT Hon John Bercow MP
welcomed Ms Memon to Speaker’s House. In his welcome note, he said that this
was an auspicious occasion the first of its kind to honor the individual
who has contributed to advancement of democratic values by facilitating
better democracy and superior citizenship in hostile climate. He said that for
this award world renowned nominations were received and they chose the best
qualified and most deserving Marvi Memon for recognition as Ms Memon had
displayed an extraordinary resolve and fixity of purpose. He appreciated Ms
Memon’s contribution towards, gender equality, poverty reduction, child
nutrition and democratic advancement in Pakistan. He appreciated her efforts of
putting her people first and having a commitment to others before
herself.
Speaking on the occasion Ms Memon
said that democracy is our culture, and our tradition. Mohammad Ali Jinnah
-the founder of Pakistan won us freedom through democratic means. Pakistan has
indeed come a long way in its struggle for establishing a sustainable version
of democracy and it has been a privilege for her to have been a part of this
struggle and especially for empowering most vulnerable women of
Pakistan.
Ms Memon thanked the Honorable
Speaker of the House of Commons and the judging panel. She dedicated the award
to her soil, her country Pakistan, her party PMLN, her leader Nawaz Sharif, her
family, to all those who created BISP and most importantly to the most
vulnerable families and specifically women of Pakistan, the BISP beneficiaries.
Former Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz
Sharif congratulated Ms Memon from London when he learnt of the award and said
that Marvi Memon had made Pakistan proud.
In a congratulatory message, Speaker
National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has facilitated Ms Marvi Memon
on bagging the prestigious award. He said that Ms Memon rightfully deserved the
award as she brought social change and women empowerment by dynamizing BISP
through her dedication and unwavering efforts. This recognition is not an
individual honour but a matter of great pride for the National Assembly of
Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
Khawaja Muhammad Asif congratulated Ms Memon on this great achievement and said
that this is not only a recognition for her services as an individual but
an international recognition of Pakistan’s struggle for democracy. This will be
remembered since Pakistan has established itself as first for times to come by
managing to get the inaugural award.
