KARACHI: Merely a day after the Senate elections kept many busy contemplating over the results, former senator Nisar Memon’s book, Insight into the Senate of Pakistan, was launched at the NJV School, where former and current parliamentarians, intellectuals, academics and members of civil society were present.

“This book is all about national security because national security is not just about conventional security we talk about, ie defence and defence protection. In addition to this, the water sector, the environment, climate, economics and social contributors also form part of the national security of Pakistan,” said Mr Memon.

This book also charts the hopes and expectations Mr Memon has of the leadership of the country. “I would like to discuss and engage with the leadership of the country, debate with them as well as work with them to achieve the dignity of our people and strengthen the institutions of Pakistan,” he said.

‘Clash of institutions breeds chaos and there is no value in it.’

“A long, overdue contribution to the relatively limited literature by parliamentarians on parliament in Pakistan,” said former senator Javed Jabbar about the book. He hailed the publication as a reflection of Mr Memon’s exceptional degree of sincerity, intelligence, and an analytical and constructive approach to the Senate and its issues.

“It is a genuine attempt to strengthen and embolden the institution of democracy, an institution that is very important for the federation of Pakistan,” he said.

“The Senate is the political custodian and an elected institution and this book contributes a useful wealth of experience and suggestions. It is a combination of specially written text for this book as well as verbatim quotes from speeches that senator Nisar Memon delivered. It reinforces the critical role of parliamentary committees a number of which he has served.”

Mr Memon’s daughter Marvi Memon, who has served as the chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme and a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since 2013, was also present at the book launch. She spoke about how the book was relevant to the recent Senate elections.

“We, the future politicians of Pakistan, should be able to make positive contributions to parliamentary democracy and make a difference. The new generation can learn a lot from his book. My father’s book demonstrates that his thought process for the state, the country, the flag, is much higher than any political considerations,” she explained.

“Wealth in diversity and tolerance is a lesson my father has taught me which is greatly needed in this country. Clash of institutions breeds chaos and there is no value in it. Parliament is all about consensus building and that is something Insight into the Senate of Pakistan talks about.”

Senator Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, who was re-elected in the Senate election held on March 3, also spoke at the launch and recalled his decades long association with Mr Memon; he lauded his untiring efforts to carve a place for himself in the political arena of Pakistan.

Senator Shah said that in any position of power, when part of the executive branch of the government, senator Memon made significant contributions be it in the field of water, environment, literacy, defence and security or climate change. “His book provides insight into how the Senate works,” he explained.

Former chairman of Wapda Raghib Shah and Tariq Husain, who has worked at the World Bank for 30 years in public policy formulation and implementation, also spoke at the event.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2018