The National Assembly on Friday paid tributes to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Syed Iftikharul Hassan, who passed away a few days ago.
As a mark of respect, Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri adjourned the house proceedings for the day after passing a condolence resolution, paying rich tribute to the political, parliamentary and social services of the late PML-N member of the National Assembly from Sialkot.
Former deputy speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi moved the resolution, commiserating with the bereaved family for the irreparable loss. At the outset, the parliamentarians paid rich tributes to late Hassan for upholding democratic and parliamentary norms.
Abbasi, Babar Awan, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Shehryar Afridi, Khawaja Asif, Rohail Asghar, Amir Dogar and others appreciated the political and parliamentary services of Hassan, saying he lived a clean and transparent life, adding that his political struggle would always be remembered.
Khawaja Asif said that he had brotherly relations with Hassan for 30 years, adding that Hassan had worked tirelessly in his constituency. He revealed that Hassan came under a lot of pressure to change his party but he stood by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif.
Hassan’s father belonged to a renowned religious family in Sialkot, Asif said, adding that Hassan was so popular among the people of Sialkot that he never lost a single election.
Federal Minister Shehryar Afridi said, “We blame each other for different things when we are alive. It would be better to respect each other as long as we are alive.”
Unfortunately, he said, accusations were hurled and harsh words were exchanged in the house in the last few sessions.
“It’s good that we praise people after they die,” he said, urging the fellow lawmakers to avoid using foul language for each other. Babar Awan, while expressing condolences, said that Hassan was a simple and noble person, who would be dearly missed.
Former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said Hassan’s standing with his party (PML-N) for his whole life was a sign of perseverance.
Riaz Fatyana suggested that Hassan’s speeches in the national and provincial assemblies should be published.
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