New Delhi, February 15
After Anand Sharma, the first Indian Commerce Minister to visit Pakistan to boost trade ties, it is now the turn of Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to create history by becoming the first Indian Speaker to lead a parliamentary delegation to the neighbouring country.

Between February 21 and 25, Kumar will visit Islamabad on the invitation of Fehmida Mirza, Speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly, who has visited India on two occasions in the past. The delegation the Speaker will lead comprises MPs Tarun Vijay, Shahnawaz Hussain (BJP), Madan Lal Sharma (Congress), Birendra Prasad Baishya (AGP) and Said-ul-Haq (CPM). Other names are being finalised.

“Love for democracy that the two woman Speakers of the subcontinent share has led to this extraordinary development when the Speaker of the Lok Sabha will visit Pakistan for the very first time to boost parliamentary ties and people to people contact,” Lok Sabha sources today said.

Mirza had written a letter of praise to Meira Kumar when she took over as the first woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha. “In that letter, Dr Mirza had stated how the installation of two women speakers in two important countries of South Asia augured well for the future of women’s empowerment in the region. Ever since then, the two Speakers have shared warmth in relationship. They are like sisters across borders in the sub continent,” top LS sources said.

Mirza had first visited India between January 4 and 8, 2010 when India hosted the 20th Conference of Speakers of Commonwealth Nations. She also came in July last for the SAARC Speakers Conference which India hosted.