Chairman PPP Bilawal meets representatives of political committees
Friday, 25 May 2012
WASHINGTON, May 24 (APP): Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Thursday held meetings with the international arms of the Democratic and Republican Committees here. At a meeting chaired by Lorne Craner, the President of the International Republican Institute (IRI), Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was briefed about IRI political party building activities in Pakistan, and the work the Institute was planning, working with other NGOs, leading up to the upcoming Parliamentary elections in Pakistan.
Executive Vice President of IRI Judy Van Rest, IRI Program Office for Pakistan, Middle East and North Africa Matthew Carter, IRI Consultant and Trainer Robert Varsalone, Begum Sanam Bhutto, Mark Siegel and Hashaam Riaz Sheikh were present in the meeting.
The Chairman then attended a luncheon hosted by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who is the Chair of the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
The NDI has been actively engaged in Pakistan for over 20 years, working with political parties and civic groups to strengthen democratic infrastructure.
The Institute supports programs to help political parties become modern and inclusive political organizations, strengthen parties at the local level, and advance political reform in FATA, with special emphasis on working with women and youth activists to strengthen their political party building skills.
The NDI has an ambitious program for parliamentary elections, and is expected to work with other democracy NGOs in election monitoring.
The NDI luncheon was also attended by Ken Wollack, President of NDI; Vali Nasr, NDI Board of Directors; Shari Bryan, Vice President of NDI; Raissa Tatad-Hazell, Director of Afghanistan and Pakistan Programs; Ivan Doherty, Senior Associate and Senior Director of political party programs; Sheila Fruman, Senior Resident Director of Mauritania. Ambassador of Pakistan to United States Ms. Sherry Rehman, Begum Sanam Bhutto, Mark Siegel and Hashaam Riaz Sheikh.