The right place: ‘Govt should be held accountable in Parliament’

Raza Rabbani discourages protests, demonstrations

PESHAWAR: Senate Chairperson Mian Raza Rabbani said Parliament is the most effective forum to make the government accountable – he discouraged protests, rallies and demonstrations.

While speaking at an event called ‘18th Constitutional Amendment, Challenges and Opportunities for Provincial Governments’, Rabbani said peaceful protests and demonstrations are part of democracy, but it is the Parliament where such issues should be discussed. He was referring to the Tehreek-e-Ehtesab rally of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

The event where Rabbani was speaking was  held at the Pakistan Provincial Services Academy and attended by trainee provincial management services (PMS) officers of the excise and taxation groups.

Rabbani maintained 18th Amendment was the people’s oldest demand as they wanted maximum autonomy for federating units. “It has ended the sense of deprivation among smaller provinces,” he said. “It will further strengthen the federation.”

He stressed on result-oriented economic projects that could produce tangible results. He added cogent measures should also be taken to eradicate corruption and make the system transparent. He said it was now up to the country’s leadership to utilise the law effectively for people’s well-being.

The Senate chairperson advised the provincial leadership to raise any issues that it may have with the Council of Common Interests, when using power granted under the constitutional amendment.

Rabbani denied the impression that this landmark amendment to the Constitution was passed in haste, saying it should have been done earlier to ensure the rights and power of federating units.

He warned if anyone ever tried to revoke this constitutional amendment, it would have dangerous repercussions for the federation.

To a question about Fata reforms, the Senate chairperson said the decision regarding the issues of Fata should be made by people of tribal areas.

Rabbani strongly condemned Monday’s deadly terrorist attack in Quetta. He said the fight against terrorism was a long battle and could only be won through national unity. “The menace cannot be exterminated completely through one or two operations.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2016.