Outgoing senators express parting wishes

Senators call for strengthening democracy, restoring trade ties with neighbours and ending perks of parliamentarians

ISLAMABAD:

A multitude of lofty and ambitious proposals resonated through the upper house on Wednesday, ranging from the enhancement of trade relations with neighbouring nations to the recommendation to put an end to caretaker governments, as the outgoing lawmakers bid farewell.

The farewell meeting of outgoing senators served as the platform for the parting reflections on the future of the country.

Among the various wishes was a bold declaration to cease the issuance of free plane tickets to parliamentarians and put an end to perks such as complimentary electricity and petrol, while one senator envisioned a hypothetical day as prime minister to fix the country's woes.

The Senate gathering met under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Mirza Afridi.

Commencing with the recitation of the Holy Quran, the session proceeded with the presentation of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice's report on the amendment bill for the Service Tribunal Act, 1973.

Additionally, the standing committee's report addressing the challenges faced by overseas Pakistanis also took centre stage during the meeting.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, addressing the assembly after the reports, urged the upper house to play a pivotal role in opening borders for trade, particularly with neighbouring countries like Afghanistan and Iran.

In a pointed address during a point of order, Senator Syed revealed that a delegation from Afghanistan had arrived in Pakistan, seeking the opening of borders for trade.

Highlighting the economic impact, he stated, "The trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan is around 5 billion US dollars, but due to the closure of borders, entire business activity is closed, causing difficulties for Afghan traders."

Senator Syed emphasised the potential for landlocked countries, including Afghanistan and Tajikistan, to benefit from trade opportunities via Gwadar.

Expressing concern over Pakistan's current relations with neighbouring countries, he called for continued hospitality, stating, "Pakistan has been a host country for all its neighbouring countries for 40 years, and the same role must continue in the future for prosperity and peace in the region."

Senator Syed urged the chairman and deputy chairman of the Senate to facilitate a meeting of Afghan traders and elevate the issue to the highest levels for the opening of borders.

Meanwhile, other senators stressed strengthening democracy for the country’s prosperous future.

Deputy Chairman of the Senate, Mirza Muhammad Afridi, acknowledged the resolution presented by Senator Ishaq Dar, the leader of the house, and Senator Dr Shahzad Waseem, the leader of the opposition.

The resolution, filed under Rule 263 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, sought the exemption from Rule 41 of the mentioned Rules concerning the question hour for the remaining sittings of the ongoing session.

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

Senator Mahar Taj said that she did her best in her tenure as a senator but still feels depressed for not contributing enough to 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 Moula Bux Chandio in his farewell speech said that Pakistan has to be run by politicians therefore politicians must believe in dialogue and talk to each other in the country’s best interest.

He said the 18th amendment is an amendment for the survival of Pakistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party will not tolerate any conspiracy to end this amendment.

Moula Bux Chandio said politicians and political parties must learn from their mistakes and further strengthen democracy by forgetting past mistakes.

He said that democracy will be matured if it is not derailed and would be strengthened after mistakes.
Chandio also thanked his party leadership for nominating him for senatorship.