Homage to an icon: Parliamentarians eulogise Nelson Mandela
Sartaj Aziz recalls Pakistan’s support for anti-apartheid movement.
The late anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
Members of the upper and lower houses of parliament paid moving tribute to iconic anti-apartheid, freedom fighter and South African president Nelson Mandela, who passed away after a protracted illness.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz moved the resolution. Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi left the regular agenda appearing on the Orders of the Day unaddressed and adopted a Supplementary Resolution paying tributes to the services of the South African statesman considered an icon for freedom and democracy.
Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, speaking on a point of order, paid tributes to the services of the deceased for the cause of democracy. Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Shah also eulogised the services of late South African leader, who stood for the rights of the oppressed and the deprived.
State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed said that throughout his life Mandela fought for the rights of people and never compromised on principles.
The House also offered ‘fateha’ for ex-minister Syed Amir Haider Kazmi, who died on December 5. Later the proceedings were adjourned till Monday.
Senate passes resolution
The Senate joined the world in mourning the death of Nelson Mandela. Suspending routine legislative business of the House, senators passed a unanimous resolution paying tributes to Mandela’s services to humankind.
“Pakistan had been at the forefront to dismantle the apartheid and Nelson Mandela appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in this regard,” said the resolution moved by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
He was the person who always stood for honour, dignity and rights of the oppressed people wherever they were in the world. The resolution recalled that Mandela twice visited Pakistan and during his second visit he also addressed the joint sitting of parliament.
The senators observed a minute’s silence for Mandela and offered prayers.
“Through his efforts, Mandela made one nation out of two peoples. He was the biggest advocate of reconciliation and non-violence,” said Senate Chairman Nayar Hussain Bukhari. He praised Mandela’s efforts for democracy which was a beacon for the countries that were struggling for blossoming of democracy.
The senators said Mandela’s influence was widespread. He would be remembered for a long time as a role-model for all politicians and public servants as well as humanity at large. Mandela was one of those few human beings who actually change the course of history, said the senators.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 7th, 2013.
Members of the upper and lower houses of parliament paid moving tribute to iconic anti-apartheid, freedom fighter and South African president Nelson Mandela, who passed away after a protracted illness.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz moved the resolution. Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi left the regular agenda appearing on the Orders of the Day unaddressed and adopted a Supplementary Resolution paying tributes to the services of the South African statesman considered an icon for freedom and democracy.
Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, speaking on a point of order, paid tributes to the services of the deceased for the cause of democracy. Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Shah also eulogised the services of late South African leader, who stood for the rights of the oppressed and the deprived.
State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed said that throughout his life Mandela fought for the rights of people and never compromised on principles.
The House also offered ‘fateha’ for ex-minister Syed Amir Haider Kazmi, who died on December 5. Later the proceedings were adjourned till Monday.
Senate passes resolution
The Senate joined the world in mourning the death of Nelson Mandela. Suspending routine legislative business of the House, senators passed a unanimous resolution paying tributes to Mandela’s services to humankind.
“Pakistan had been at the forefront to dismantle the apartheid and Nelson Mandela appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in this regard,” said the resolution moved by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
He was the person who always stood for honour, dignity and rights of the oppressed people wherever they were in the world. The resolution recalled that Mandela twice visited Pakistan and during his second visit he also addressed the joint sitting of parliament.
The senators observed a minute’s silence for Mandela and offered prayers.
“Through his efforts, Mandela made one nation out of two peoples. He was the biggest advocate of reconciliation and non-violence,” said Senate Chairman Nayar Hussain Bukhari. He praised Mandela’s efforts for democracy which was a beacon for the countries that were struggling for blossoming of democracy.
The senators said Mandela’s influence was widespread. He would be remembered for a long time as a role-model for all politicians and public servants as well as humanity at large. Mandela was one of those few human beings who actually change the course of history, said the senators.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 7th, 2013.