Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production Chairman Mushahid Hussain Sayed Monday said the supremacy of the Parliament cannot be ensured by words alone, but through performance and leadership with new ideas, issues and initiatives. He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production convened in connection with launching of new website of the committee and presentation of its first report at the Parliament House.
The Senate Defence Committee is the first committee of the parliament to have its own website and to have produced a report within six weeks of its formation.
Senate Chairman Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari was the chief guest on the occasion. Senator Mushahid, in his opening remarks, said that the defence committee would establish new parliamentary traditions and would seek guidance from all the stakeholders, including defence and security institutions, think tanks, media and others to formulate solid recommendations to further strengthen the defence of the country.
He apprised the Senate chairman of the 2012 Work Plan and other initiatives of the committee, adding that a defence policy strategy document would be prepared annually to give specific proposals on how to promote harmony between the Khaki and Mufti, and to redefine some of the basic premises of national defence strategy in light of new challenges and emerging ground realities. He also said that there would be regular defence briefings for reporters and the report of the committee would be presented bi-monthly. Speaking on the occasion, Senate Chairman Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari said that in the changed parliamentary scenario after restoration of democracy in the country, the Senate has redefined its role as per the best parliamentary traditions and norms. The upper house is now playing a laudable role in nurturing the frail sapling of democracy, being a guardian of provincial rights, equality and national solidarity.
Bukhari said that the Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production holds the unique distinction of being the first committee that presented its report within weeks of its formation and also launched an effective website. The Senate is pleased to welcome this initiative because these reports and the website present a positive perspective on Pakistan’s resilient democracy and vibrant parliament, the chairman added.
He remarked that the current committee consists of eminent and towering political heavyweights, including both leaders of the house ad the opposition as well as deputy chairman of the Senate. Top six leading political parties have representation in the committee, he said. He hoped that under the professional and dynamic chairmanship of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the defence committee would play a significant role as per its mandate and vision of the members.
Regarding other key initiatives, the Senate chairman observed that formation of Defence Reporters’ Forum and its own website were also highly commendable for providing a mechanism to make its proceedings transparent and enhance its public outreach in line with the modern concept of a progressive, open and accountable parliament. In order to ensure transparency and accountability, he said, a greater media access to the committee meetings, has also been ensured.
The members of the committee termed it a good beginning. They commended efforts of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and expressed the hope that the committee would proactively engage in such a discourse which would help in formulating recommendations on new footings.
