Newsletter – April 2008 Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani sworn in as Hon. Dr Fahmida Mirza takes her seat th 24 Prime Minister of Pakistan as Pakistan’s first woman Speaker On 24 March Syed Yousaf A former doctor made history Raza Gillani was elected in Pakistan on 19 March by as the Leader of the becoming the first woman to House by the National be elected Speaker in the Assembly of Pakistan and National Assembly of the next day he was Pakistan. Fahmida Mirza won sworn in as the 24th 249 votes in the 342-seat Lower House of parliament. Prime Minister of Pakistan. “I am honoured and humbled; this chair carries a big Born on 9 June 1952 in responsibility. I am feeling that responsibility today and Karachi, Gillani hails from will, God willing, come up to expectations.” Multan in southern Punjab and belongs to a As Speaker, she is second in the line of succession to prominent political family. His grandfather and the President and occupies fourth position in the Warrant grand-uncles joined the All India Muslim League of Precedence, after the President, the Prime Minister and were signatories of the historical Pakistan and the Chairman of Senate. Resolution passed on 23 March 1940. Mr Gillani’s father, Alamdar Hussain Gillani served as a Elected three times to parliament, she is one of the few Provincial Minister in the 1950s. women to have been voted in on a general seat rather than one reserved for women. Mr Yousaf Raza Gillani joined politics at the national level in 1978 when he became a member Fahmida Mirza 51, hails from Badin in Sindh and has of the Muslim League’s central leadership. This won the National Assembly seat in open electoral was soon after he completed his Masters in contest in 1997, 2002 and 2008. Journalism at the University of the Punjab in 1976. Mr Faisal Karim Kundi was elected as Deputy Speaker. He was a Cabinet Member in the government of Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Junejo. He served as Minister of Housing and Works from April 1985 to January 1986 and Railways Minister from January 1986 to December 1986. Special Event In this issue: After a short stint with the Muslim League, Mr Reflections on Former Pakistan Elections P2 Gillani became part of the Pakistan Peoples Party Chief of General Staff P3 Prime Minister Number plate F1 P3 in 1988 and was made the senior Vice-Chairman Benazir Bhutto Commonwealth Day P4 of the Party. In the Benazir Bhutto government of Sir Nicholas Barrington and Pakistan Gap Year P5 1988-1990, Mr Gillani was again a Cabinet St Andrews PhD P6 Victoria Schofield at 6pm on Bradford Media Links P6 Minister: He was Minister of Tourism from March 9 April 2008 at the High Lancaster Partnership P7 1989 to January 1990 and again served as Commission for Pakistan, Stirling University P7 Minister of Housing and Works from January 1990 London, SW1 Sports/RUSI P8 to August 1990. In the Benazir government of Annual Membership RUSI P8 The annual Membership fee for Events P9/10 1993-1996, Mr Gillani was elected as Speaker of 2008 is now due. Ordinary Annual Dinner Form P11 National Assembly of Pakistan and worked in this Members £30, Students and _____________________ Overseas Members £10. Please Next Event: Annual General capacity till February 1997. He has to his credit an Meeting and Reception at Urdu language autobiography, Chah-e-Yousaf Say Sada. note that annual subscriptions runs for one year from 1st 6pm on Wednesday, 2 April January to 31st December. 2008 at High Commission for Pakistan, London SW1 1 Pakistan Elections 2008 Full support for Pakistan's new PM Statement by European Union Election (25/3/08) Observation Mission to Pakistan 2008 (20/2/08) Gordon Brown has offered his full support to Pakistan's new Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gillani, The preliminary assessment of European Union who has taken office today. Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) said that the National and Provincial Assembly In a Downing Street statement, the Prime Minister elections were competitive and the polling said: process achieved increased public confidence. "I welcome today's election of Yusuf Raza Gilani as Pakistan's next Prime Minister. I congratulate him “We are relieved that election day has passed and look forward to working closely with him on our off better than had been shared agenda. anticipated and commend the commitment shown by voters, candidates, "The new government will face many challenges election staff, and representatives of media and and the UK stands ready to assist Mr Gilani and his civil society,” said government in meeting them. February's Michael Gahler, Chief Observer of the EU EOM. parliamentary elections were a crucial step towards a lasting democratic transition in Pakistan and I The EU assessment concluded that polling was offer Mr Gilani and his government my full support." assessed positively on the whole. The compilation process was positively assessed in Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf administered the majority of constituencies observed. “The the oath of office to Mr Gillani in a ceremony in election period has shown the strong desire of Islamabad today. Mr Gillani is a senior member of the Pakistani people for democracy and the rule the Pakistan People's Party that emerged as the of law”, said Robert Evans, Chair of the main winner of polls in February. European Parliament Delegation. “In response, we urge political parties to work responsibly to During talks in January, Mr Brown called upon address the challenges ahead and demonstrate President Musharraf to hold "credible elections" commitment to strengthening the electoral and following the assasination of former Pakistan Prime wider democratic process”. Minister Benazir Bhutto. While the campaign was low key and subdued, Foreign Secretary comments on it saw a broad range of Pakistan elections (19/02/08) views expressed. According to EU mission, private media provided candidates and parties Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, has commented with pluralistic coverage during the campaign. today on yesterdays elections in Pakistan: UN Secretary-General hails Pakistan’s 'As the final votes of Monday's parliamentary and polls (19/2/08) provincial elections in Pakistan are counted, it is clear that Pakistan's people have refused to allow UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the violent exremism to derail the democratic process. conduct the parliamentary elections in Pakistan, They have shown courage by facing down the noting that the voting was “largely peaceful.” extremists and in so doing have given Pakistan the chance to build a stable, secure and prosperous A statement issued by the Office of the UN future. Secretary-General said: “The Secretary-General has been closely following developments in 'I welcome too the constructive approach taken so Pakistan and he commends the people of Pakistan far by Pakistan's political leaders as the results for the largely peaceful conduct of parliamentary emerge. I call on the moderate political parties to elections and is encouraged by the commitment of work together to meet the challenges Pakistan all concerned to respect the democratic process”. faces and look forward to working with the new Government once it forms.' 2 British Army Chief Visits Pakistan A British-Pakistani from Bradford pays £400k for number plate “F1” Afzal Kahn's delight was in overdrive after he bought F1 - Britain's most expensive registration. The 37- year-old custom car tycoon got the plate for £440,625 - £375,000 plus VAT - and other charges took the total to around half a million pounds. It beat the previous record of £331,000 for the M1 plate, sold by auctioneers Bonhams in July 2006. Mr Kahn has put F1 on his new Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR. The entrepreneur from Bradford, a keen Formula One fan, beat off two other potential buyers to snap up the plate from Essex County Council. The 104-year-old registration was previously on a £30,000 Volvo S80 used by the council chairman. The council sold it to raise money for a charity which aims to raise the standards of young On 24 February, General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of drivers. the General Staff of the British Army, arrived in Islamabad for a week-long visit, as part of the UK’s "I knew I just had to have it," said Mr Kahn. "I have ongoing defence co-operation with Pakistan. spent years chasing it. I cannot believe I've finally got it. I am privileged to have acquired such a prestigious During his visit, General Dannatt called on Chief of plate. It's every man's dream to have his perfect car Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chairman of with a number plate like this." the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid, and other senior military figures. He received The sought-after registration attracted the attention of briefings on Pakistan’s fight against militancy, the Formula One's Eddie Irvine and Bernie Ecclestone regional situation and on training in the Pakistan Army. when it went up for auction at the Goodwood Festival General Dannatt also gave a lecture to cadets at the of Speed in April 2005. But it remained unsold Pakistan Military Academy in Abbottabad on the because the reserve price was not met. subject of ‘Leadership’. General Dannatt also paid a courtesy call on President Pervez Musharraf. Mr Kahn started his business career as a 14-year-old helping out his father on an ice cream van. The long-planned visit of General Dannatt is the latest His first enterprise was selling eggs door-to-door at 16 of several senior military visits to Pakistan from the UK before indulging in his hobby of making car accessory over the last year and is expected further to deepen the parts.