CAPE TOWN (South Africa), Apr 18 (APP): Veteran politician and PML (N) leader Javed Hashmi was given exceptional standing ovation Friday by the participants of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) assembly.

Javed Hashmi is the special guest of honour at the IPU assembly due to his outstanding contribution to restoration of democracy in Pakistan. He was extended special invitation by world fame democrat Nelson Mandela to be guest of honour at the moot.

Javed Hashmi underwent imprisonment for about seven years under different governments but remained steadfast in the struggle for restoration of democracy in the country.

A Pakistan delegation headed by Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza is representing the country separately in the assembly.

The participants of the assembly paid rich tributes to the heroic struggle of Javed Hashmi.

The parliamentarians from the Philippines and Bangladesh including the latter’s foreign minister Ahmed Kamal, who were in the forefront of international concern during Hashmi’s incarceration, were present during the standing ovation. They hailed the PML-N leader as hero of democracy in Pakistan.

When Javed Hashmi entered the assembly hall all the participants stood up on their feet and welcomed him amidst thunderous applause.

Javed Hashmi would meet ailing veteran African champion of democracy Nelson Mandela on Saturday in Johannesburg.

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