KARACHI, Nov 19: Chairman Senate Mohammedmian Soomro has highlighted the importance of interaction between elected representatives and people for good governance.

Mr Soomro was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the public liaison secretariat of Senator Nisar A. Memon in Clifton. He was late at the function due to delay in the arrival of flight from Islamabad.

In his brief speech, he congratulated Senator Memon for making the idea of public liaison a reality. He said people would have an easy access to leaders on this platform where they could raise their voice on real issues.

Before cutting ribbon to open the secretariat, he also exchanged views with journalists.

In response to a question, he said adoption of women rights bill depended on senators and the quorum. He said if senators belonging to the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal resigned, the election commission would conduct elections on vacant seats.

Earlier, the gathering was addressed by Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah. He said the Senate enjoyed an important role in legislation business as all federating units had equal representation and say there.

He said Senator Nisar Memon had taken a step forward to mitigate public sufferings by establishing the secretariat. He said voters usually complained that they did not have access to their leaders after elections. He expressed hope that other legislators would follow the suit.

Referring to the complaint of business community’s representative Siraj Teli that no government had responded to the needs of Karachi though the city was contributing over 65 per cent revenue to the national exchequer, Mr Shah said it was necessary to form lobbies and have contacts with special groups in the parliament. Pointing out the practices of lobbies in western democracies, he said issues could not be raised in this cosmopolitan city of 14 million people unless pressure was exhorted.

He said good legislation and good governance could be possible only if people organised themselves and make lobby among parliamentarians. “If you want your voice heard in the parliament you have to create lobbies.”

In his welcome address, Senator Nisar Memon highlighted the objective of setting up the senator’s secretariat and said the office would welcome people, raise their issues and work with the city, provincial and federal governments to contribute in legislation. He said efforts should be made to ensure education and employment for all as well as social justice.

He said Senator Ahmad Ali, who was present in the function, had set up public dealing office three years ago which helped him maintaining close liaison with citizens.

Others who spoke were Matiur Rehman, Siraj Teli and Sultana Siddiqui. The function was attended among other by senators, legislators, representatives of business and industry, labour representatives and diplomats.