National Assembly Speaker, Asad Qaiser, on Tuesday, reiterated the protection of the basic rights for all, as enshrined in the 1973 constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The constitution was said to provide equal opportunities for progress and development of all Pakistani citizens. He said it was the duty of the government to provide basic education to children aged five to 16 years as per the constitution. While stressing on the need to make comprehensive public policies for the welfare of the common people, he said the 18th amendment in the constitution had enhanced the importance of federating units. Now, provinces can play their vital role to uplift the status of the common people, he added. The speaker expressed these views while addressing an inaugural session of two-day National Parliamentary Consultation on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) held at Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS), on Tuesday. Speaker Qaiser said that the incumbent government was striving hard to eliminate poverty, unemployment and illiteracy from the country. Climate change was called a serious issue, which needed to be taken on a priority basis at all levels of governance. Qaiser said the regional conference would be held in Pakistan during the month of October. He hoped that all neighbouring countries would participate in this conference to deliberate upon the regional issues. While stressing on the need of unity for the progress of the country, Speaker Qaiser asserted, “This country belongs to us and we are recognised in the world because of Pakistan.” He also mentioned the progress and prosperity of all of us depended upon the development of this country. The Pakistani nation is a brave nation and had always faced the challenges with courage and braveness, the speaker maintained.