Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani has said parliamentary democracy guarantees people's constitutional and human rights, spur development, undue injustices and empower citizenry through genuine representation in the Parliament.In his concluding remarks on the conclusion of three-day commemorative session of the Senate, he said we must make democracy work and deliver at all costs. He said the Senate Golden Jubilee is also an occasion to renew our national commitment towards strengthening federation. He said our challenges are huge and our resolve should also be bigger and stronger to strengthen the democratic process as a vehicle of change and progress.

The Chairman said we renew our commitment to uploading democracy, rule of law, good governance and supremacy of the Parliament as a means to making Pakistan stable, stronger and unified. He said a strong federation is the one where people of diverse ethnicities and regions feel a sense of belonging, parity and equality. He said we must continue with our efforts to bring people of smaller provinces into the national main stream, meet their basic needs and address discontent, marginalization and deprivation. He said all hands must be on deck in this national endeavour. He said we need all federation units fully participating in the cause of national development and progress in a spirit of harmony.

The Chairman said the executive, the legislative, the judiciary, media, civil society and every individual must joins hand towards national development and progress. He said difficult times call for difficult decisions. On the occasion, the chair also announced that the Committee of the Whole would be a prominent feature to discuss challenges, facing the country, hold a healthy discourse among all the stakeholders on possible solution, promote and critical thinking, and give voice to the aspiration of the federating units as well as people of Pakistan.

The Senate has approved a unanimous resolution reaffirming its commitment to upholding the Constitution and promoting democratic values, federalism, tolerance and constitutionalism in the country, as envisaged by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The House pledged to continue its efforts in protecting the rights of the provinces and marginalized communities, promoting gender equality, and strengthening the democratic process in Pakistan. It called for promoting constructive dialogue and debate on the issues of national importance and providing policy guidelines to the government for implementation.

The resolution called upon civil society, academia, youth, women and the media to provide feedback on the working of the parliament with a view to making it more effective, transparent, open and a repository of people’s trust. The Upper House expressed optimism and confidence that the celebration and commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Senate will strengthen its commitment and resolve towards fulfilling the ideals of provincial autonomy, federalism and aspirations of the people of Pakistan”.

The lawmakers acknowledged the importance of this commemorative 50th Anniversary Session of the Senate aimed at strengthening national harmony, unity and inclusiveness. They expressed gratitude to the architects of the 1973 Constitution, former Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen and Senators, staff and other stakeholders towards transforming the Senate into a chamber of parliamentary excellence over the past 50 years. The House also moved another resolution moved by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, acknowledging contribution of the Senate secretariat employees for their hard work in strengthening and running business of the House in an amicable manner.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-INP