Senate continues discussion on president’s address

Treasury lawmakers say Alvi’s speech provides ‘roadmap towards strong and successful Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Senators belonging to both sides of the aisle touched upon various issues mentioned in the president in his address to both the houses of parliament on September 12 to mark the beginning of the new parliamentary year.

In their speeches on a motion of thanks to express gratitude to the president, members from the treasury benches described the address “a roadmap towards strong and successful Pakistan”, while the opposition criticised the government policies.

The parliamentary address by President Arif Alvi had dilated on the government's performance in key sectors, including economy, governance, social development, accountability, foreign policy, Indian atrocities in Kashmir and media policy.

During the debate, the senators highlighted various political issues, constitutional matters and regional issues. PML-N Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan said the government should focus on providing relief to masses. He said subsidies were given in various other countries and people-friendly step should be top priority of the government.

Khan praised the special court verdict in the treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf He also proposed formation of a commission on the matters, pertaining to Justice Faez Isa and Shaukat Aziz Siddiqi.

However, MQM Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Saif hit back at the opposition, saying that they should follow their conscience. Saif said that history should not be distorted and one should take responsibility of what they had done in past.

PPP Senator Behramand Khan Tangi criticised the government policies, saying that the prime minister did not recognise the opposition. He said that the Prime Imran was prepared to shake hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but not with the opposition leaders.

Senator Tangi also highlighted the plight of the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir, who had been facing curfew for the last 150 days. He urged the government to raise the atrocities against the Kashmiris at international forums.

NP Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi criticised the government policies and said commitments made to the people of Pakistan had not been fulfilled. Independent Senator Dilawar Khan also demanded the government to take concrete steps for the development of the country.

Aurangzeb Khan, also an independent senator, said that Pakistan had got the sincere leadership and Prime Minister Imran Khan was making efforts for the prosperity and development of the country. He said intention of the prime minister was very clear as he wanted equality in society.

With input from APP