Senators urge strengthening of democracy in their farewell speeches

ISLAMABAD (APP) - Senators in the Upper House on their retirement on March 11, stressed upon strengthening of democracy in the country for a prosperous future of Pakistan on Wednesday.

Senate Deputy Chairman Mirza Muhammad Afridi accepted the resolution from Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Leader of the House and Senator Dr Shahzad Waseem, Leader of the Opposition, who moved the resolution under Rule 263 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, that the requirement of Rule 41 of the said Rules regarding the question hour be dispensed with for remaining sittings of the current session.

Senator Professor Dr Mahar Taj Roghani, in her farewell speech, appreciated Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and Deputy Chairman Mirza Afridi for smooth conduct of sessions.

She suggested that the oath of the senators should not be mandatory for senators because they don’t justify it with their acts when coming into power. She said that, she did her best in her tenure as senator but still feel depressed for not contributing enough in the development of the country.

She also suggested that the bills passed by the Senate should not be sent to the National Assembly for further approval because the Senate has the status of Upper House; however the bills passed by the National Assembly must come to the Senate for approval.

Senator Maula Bux Chandio said that Pakistan has to be run by politicians; therefore, politicians must believe in dialogue and talk to each other in country’s best interest. He said the 18th amendment is an amendment for survival of Pakistan and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) will not tolerate any conspiracy to end this amendment.

He said politicians and political parties must learn from their mistakes and further strengthen democracy by forgetting past mistakes. He said the democracy will be matured if it is not derailed and would be more strengthen after mistakes.