The Senate, the Upper House, which started its first session on March 12 last year has completed its first parliamentary year by completing its 90 mandatory working days business.
Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro, giving his comments on completion of the first parliamentary year, said the completion of first parliamentary year of the Upper House would further strengthen democratic institutions in the country.
He said it has proved that democracy has been fully restored, and the roots of democratic institutions are strengthening.
Talking to APP, Soomro said the Senate members from both the treasury and the opposition played an effective role in the constructive and positive proceedings of the House.
He said during the 'first parliamentary year, he tried his best to provide equal opportunities to all Senate members to participate in the House proceedings, adding that a number of foreign delegations particularly from England and many other countries visited the Parliament to observe the proceedings.
About relations between the opposition and the treasury benches, the Senate chairman said the proceedings of the House remained low key due to LFO issue during the first few months, but with the adoption of 17th Constitutional amendment by the Senate on December 30 last year, the proceedings picked up with active participation by members from both sides.
During the year, Soomro said 3,175 questions were asked by the members relating to different departments on variety of subjects, adding the members also deposited 34 privilege motions, 102 adjournment motions and 80 call attention notices on different subjects.
Out of 34 notices of privilege motions, six privilege motions were held in order, of these three were referred to the Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privilege, and three to the Special Committee for consideration and report, remaining notices were either disallowed or lapsed under the rules, he added.
Regarding 102 adjournment motions, 12 motions were admitted for two hours discussion, 11 adjournment motions of various members on the nuclear issue were clubbed together and discussed, he said, adding an adjournment motion relating to the alleged increase in the prices of petroleum products in the country, after discussion was referred to the Committee concerned for further deliberations.
Out of the 80 Call Attention notices, the ministers concerned made statements on 18 notices in the House, while the remaining notices were either disallowed or lapsed, said Soomro, adding over all attendance of the Senators during various sessions was 84 percent while Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali also attended various sessions in the parliamentary year.
Soomro said the Senate in its first parliamentary year considered and passed two government bills, received from National Assembly, including the 17th Constitutional Amendment, adding for the first time, the Senate also made recommendations on the Finance Bill-2003 to the National Assembly under Article 73 of the Constitution
He said four government bills were introduced, and referred to the Standing Committees concerned for consideration and report, adding during this period six ordinances were laid before the House.
'The Senate chairman also allowed ample time to the members to discuss various issues on point of orders, and the last date of expiry of old national identity cards (NICS) was extended on the recommendations of the Upper House, which also held discussion on various subjects, including foreign and education policies.
About the formation of the 25 standing committees of the Upper House, Soomro said both the treasury and the opposition benches have proposed the members for these committees, however, due to some minor adjustments final decision could not be taken during the first parliamentary year, and hoped that these committees would be finalised soon.
The presence of the seasoned and veteran politicians in the Senate and their contribution to the House proceedings has played an effective role in strengthening democratic process in the country, he added.
The Senate chairman remained in contact with all members belonging to both the treasury and the opposition benches, and consulted them before the start of every session.
The Upper House also constituted a Parliamentary Committee on WTO which included the members from both sides so that unanimous recommendations could be prepared on this vital issue, he added.
Regarding different achievements of the Senate at global levels the Mohammedmian Soomro conducted a number of visits abroad to promote parliamentary co-operation with other countries.
Due to these visits and sincere efforts made by the Senate chairman, Pakistan has been selected to host next meeting of Asia Pacific Parliamentarians Conference on Environment in Pakistan in 2005.
Hosting such a big event would not only pave the way for Pakistan's active participation in the important international forums, but also help remove the apprehensions of foreign visitors and investors regarding security situation in Pakistan, he said.
Soomro presented the proposal in the meeting of Asia Pacific Parliamentarians Association in Mexico, and due to his personal hectic diplomatic efforts, Pakistan was given the chance to host this important summit.
The Asia Pacific Parliamentarian Association has 45 members, including USA, Russian Federation, Japan and other leading countries, and its session will be held in Pakistan next year.
The conference would also give a boost to hotel industry, tourism and communication sectors besides, improving employment opportunities and further upgrading infrastructure facilities in the country. The conference would also improve the image of Pakistan at the global level, said Soomro.
The visits of the Senate chairman to various other countries has raised the image of Pakistan at the global level, and provided a chance to recognise the revival of democratic process. The tours, which are on the invitations from the host countries and organisations have also introduced Pakistan as a democratic country.
These tours have also provided a chance to revive the traditional relations of Pakistan with other democratic countries.
Commonwealth Secretary General Don C. Mckinnon, in a letter to Senate Chairman Soomro, also appreciated the revival of democratic process in Pakistan, and hoped that the democratic institutions would be further strengthened.
Don Mckinnon, in his letter, also said he is greatly impressed by his engagement with Pakistan, and encouraged by steps taken by the government of Pakistan for the development and growth of democratic institutions.
These foreign tours also helped Pakistan to plead its case for re-entry in Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and delegation of the association led by Tom Cox, member House of Commons, visited Pakistan on the invitation of the Senate chairman.
In a letter written to the Senate chairman after the visit, Tom Cox said the visit was a great success, and will undoubtedly build upon the excellent relationship that already exist between Pakistan and Britain.