ISLAMABAD: Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, representing Pakistan, has been unanimously elected vice chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

Launched in Manila in September 2000, ICAPP represents over 300 political parties from 52 Asian countries. Its objectives are to promote exchanges and cooperation between political parties from different countries in the region.

According to an official statement issued in Islamabad on Sunday, the election was held at a meeting of the ICAPP`s Standing Committee, comprising 27 members, in Seoul.

Senator Sayed was a keynote speaker at the first Asia Europe Political Forum organised by ICAPP.

Addressing the meeting, Senator Sayed said that `ICAPP today is emerging as the political voice of the Asian people in the 21st Asian Century`, add-ing that `the time has come for the destiny of Asia to be decided by Asians themselves, not outsiders`.

He further said the right to self-determination, non-interference in internal affairs, poverty alleviation and climate change were key issues for the Asian people.

He thanked ICAPP for `honouring Pakistan` by electing him its vice chairman.

A former information minister, Senator Sayed belongs to the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid.

The Standing Committee also held a minute of silence to honour the memory of Senator Sayed`s father, Colonel Amjad Hussain Sayed, who passed away recently.

The chairman of ICAPP, former speaker of the Philippines Jose de Venecia, praised Colonel Amjad Hussain as a `great Asian`, since he served with distinction as Pakistan`s first military attache to Indonesia and also visited China on the invitation of the Communist Party of China.