Senate is promoting national cohesion among federating units and this House being a symbol of democracy and solidarity has protected the rights of people by maintaining balance in parliament. These views were expressed by the former and incumbent lawmakers in the special commemorative session sum-moned to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Senate of Pakistan. A motion was carried unanimously to convert the House into Committee of the Whole from time to time during the special commemorative session for the address of the honourable guests.
At the beginning of the session, the Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani said the Senate of Pakistan has an important role in legislation and the promotion of national cohesion. He said the Senate of Pakistan was formed in 1973 to ensure equal representation of all the federating units.
The Chairman highlighted the constitutional history of the evolution of the Parliament from the first session of the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan held on 10th August 1947 in Karachi to the approval of the third Constitution of 1973 that was approved on 10th April 1973 and lead to the creation of the Senate.
The Leader of the House in the Senate, Senator Ishaq Dar said this occasion was important to highlight the achievement made by the Senate over the past five decades and also to reflect on its rich history.
He underlined that the gathering of national and provincial leadership on the occasion showed the much-cherished unity of all federating units.
“We must acknowledge the visionary leaders who opted for the Constitution of 1973. Let’s renew our pledge for a pluralistic and dynamic Pakistan,” he added.
Senator Ishaq Dar said the country’s progress, stability and prosperity were in the continuity of the democratic system and collaborative sustained efforts.
Senator Abida Azeem on the occasion said the Upper House represented all the provinces and it allowed raising their voice.
She added that there was less representation of women in the Upper House that needed to be approved.
Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar said there was a need to look into our past and foresee our future. He said the founders of the Constitution of 1973 created the Senate to give representation to small provinces and communities.
Former Senator Raja Zafar ul Haq said he considered the Senate as a family due to its representation of all federating units and the respect it gave to everyone.
He suggested that there was room to increase the powers of the Upper House in the financial matters of the country as at present only the National Assembly could approve the budget. Raja Zafar said economic justice and the growth of economic institutions would lead to the strengthening of the democratic system.
Former ANP Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour urged the political leadership to demonstrate political wisdom at this critical juncture and sit together to evolve a joint strategy to bring the country out of the current economic crisis.
He informed the house that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the front-line province in the war against terrorism, is again facing a wave of terrorism.
He said that his family had lost their young leadership earlier in the war against terrorism.
Former Deputy Chairman Senate Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali recalled the political struggle for the supremacy of democracy in Pakistan and suggested a direct election of the Senate of Pakistan. He called for more financial powers and authority for the Senate to serve the country in a better way.
Former PPPP Senator Sehar Kamran said that PPPP played a major role in framing the constitution of Pakistan while the 18th amendment also restored the true spirit of the unanimously passed 1973 Constitution.
She said that the Constitution of Pakistan should be included in the academic syllabus so that everyone should know about its real spirit.
Senator Atta ur Rehman said that the constitution of Pakistan should be respected and the state should be built as per the teachings of Islam.
Senator Behramand Tangi demanded more financial powers for the Senate, especially in the budget and hoped that the Chairman of the Senate would play his role.
Senator Danesh Kumar said that the Senate represents all federating units of the country. He said that seats were reserved for minorities in Parliament after the passage of the 18th amendment and demanded more seats for minor-ities to address the issue of community.
Senator Danesh Kumar appealed to all political leaders to shun their differences for Pakistan and contribute together to resolve the issue.
Senator Farooq H. Naek said that the Senate has played a central role in the advancement of Pakistan during the last 50 years and it has been a symbol of democracy and solidarity.
