ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani said on Thursday that parliament had the potential to dictate terms of reference not only for national security but also for serious foreign policy issues confronting the country.

“Those who think that parliament is not an effective institution, have their own vested interests and are not willing to transfer powers to democratic institutions, he said while addressing short-term interns of the Senate at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services.

The Senate chairman urged young people of the country to follow in the footsteps of those who worked for the supremacy of the Constitution and never compromised on their principles.

He said that effective measures had been taken to improve the working of parliament with regards to its role in legislation, oversight of the executive and transparency. He said democracy could not flourish without passing hurdles and obstacles with a commitment and resolve.


Need stressed for striking a balance between powers of the National Assembly and Senate


“People were denied fruits of democracy for long and whatever the cost, the new generation will not face these issues. In the struggle of a democratic rule and supremacy of parliament we cannot afford to lose. The new generation should remember that democracy is not given on a silver platter. People were tortured, women were dragged on roads and dishonoured in police stations for their struggle for the rule of law,” the Senate chairman said.

Later, in an interaction with members of provincial assemblies at the Parliament House, Mr Rabbani said that there was a need for striking a balance between powers of the National Assembly and Senate to enable the upper house to better protect rights of federating units and raise a voice for marginalised and underprivileged segments of society.

Replying to several questions from members of provincial assemblies, he said the 18th Amendment in the Constitution was a major breakthrough towards provincial autonomy and under this amendment provinces had been given the right over natural resources.

The Senate chairman said a centrist mind-set was creating hurdles in the way of smooth implementation of this amendment.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.