The outgoing senators on Friday walked out of the Upper House of Parliament with their eyes still sticking to the chairs, they have been occupying for years - some seemed disappointed for failure to stage a comeback, calling for direct elections to leave no room for horse-trading.
They called upon the government with heavy-heart to resort to accountability for reigning in the forces behind mutilated bodies in Balochistan, persons involved in Lal Masjid operation and killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti. Professor Khurshid of Jamaat-e-Islami, called a day after 21 years starting from the dictatorial regime of General Zia-ul-Haq and stepping down in the era of democracy, said that the way Senate played its role for strengthening of federation, needed to be further cemented.
He regretted that unfortunately Senate lacks the role, necessary for running the federation in real sense. He made it crystal clear that the role of Senate could not be effective unless elections should be held through direct franchise. Direct Senate election is the only way forward to eradicate money and horse-trading, he added.
The problems of urgent consideration are: Afia Siddiqui's release from US custody; incidents like US national Raymond Davis must not be repeated, end to recovery of mutilated bodies from Balochistan and sky-rocketing inflation.
He said that they had to stop fighting for US in the name of so-called war on terror. The persons involved in Nawab Akbar Bugti's murder, Lal Mosque operation, must be made accountable, he added. Senator Ishaq Dar of PML-N, who successfully made a comeback, said that whether it was deprivation of Baloch people or killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, serious attention should be paid if they wanted to see Balochistan peaceful and prosperous. He stressed the need to ensure free and fair elections to Senate.
Senator Abdul Rahim Mandokhel said that the Pashtuns of Balochistan should be given representation in Senate. About likely election of deputy chairman Senate from the restive province, he added, once again there was a hue and cry that Pashtuns are being neglected in allocation of important portfolios.
Senator Tariq Azeem said that the Senate should be given more powers. If Indian Rajya Saba can elect prime minister, why the Senate of Pakistan is deprived of such powers. He also suggested that the senators must have the membership of important parliamentary committees, solely represented by the National Assembly.
Senator Haji Adeel of Awami National Party (ANP) said that Islam gives equal rights to women folk and the incumbent Senate also did numerous legislations for women empowerment and protection of their rights. He said that Ftima Jinnah, called mother of the nation, but her pictures were not seen anywhere in the house, which should be displayed.
Adeel said that the prime minister and ministers should regularly attend the proceedings of this house. He also stressed the need that Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi and Balochi be given the status of national languages. Senator Zafar Ali Shah of PML-N said that Senate had always played an important role and proposed a joint electoral college consisting members senate and national Assembly for election of prime minister to strengthen role of the Upper House.
Dr Safdar Abbasi of PPP said that the current democracy was due to sacrifices of late Benazir Bhutto and the parliament must play its due role for resolving the problems of masses, as it was the manifesto of late BB. He said that he spent a long time in Senate and Farooq H Naek is only chairman from the platform of PPP after 1977, which is just because of BB's struggle for democracy.
Chairman Senate Dr Farooq H Naek in his concluding remarks thanked the members for helping him in running the house. He said that he tried his level best to maintain impartiality, honesty and made all the decisions without any discrimination. The house was prorogued for indefinite period.
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