Govt steps up efforts to persuade Raza Rabbani not to resign as Senate chairman

ISLAMABAD: The government is stepping up its efforts to persuade Raza Rabbani not to resign as Chairman Senate.

On Friday, Raza Rabbani offered to step down as Chairman Senate stating that the government was not willing to accept the constitutional role of the upper house of parliament, which was reflected by the absence of ministers during proceedings.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq spoke with Rabbani on the telephone and requested that he should not step down as chairman Senate. In response, Rabbani said if the situation remained the same he would certainly resign.

Speaking to reporters in Lahore, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said Rabbani was an honourable individual and well respected. According to Rafique sometimes, ministers face scheduling conflicts due to multiple commitments. “Departments are duty-bound to answer questions raised in the parliament. Some departments are negligent which causes problems for others.”

Rafique was hopeful that the government would be able to persuade Rabbani and improve the situation.