Leaving unfinished agenda for newcomers to fulfill, outgoing senators were on Tuesday all praise for one another, the senate staff and their sitting colleagues with some apologising to the nation for not justifying the given mandate and coming up to the expectations of the masses, as they formally bid adieu to the Upper House of the parliament amidst emotions.
Though the on-going session of the House would further continue for two more days, but the speakers took it as a final opportunity to speak in the House before they retire on March 12.
It was a gloomy atmosphere when the retiring senators took to the floor; some remembered their days as member of the House, their relationship with other colleagues and moments of triumph and failure, while few criticised the government which, according to them, did not let them establish rule of law in the country in true letter and spirit. Some of the senators mentioned passage of three landmark legislations including 18th, 19th and 20th Amendments at the farewell 79th session of the Senate. It is the last session of the present parliamentary year ending March 11. Senator Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi said the government did not implement the recommendations of the House. He condemned the federal government saying it did not accept supremacy of the people rather bulldozed them. Hafiz Rashid Ahmad condemned the government for its policies. He also condemned drone attacks in FATA and said that the tribal people were as much loyal to the country as the other people, adding that the time had come for the law of the land to be applied there.
Senator Tahir Mashhadi, who has been re-elected, said best of luck to the retiring senators. He particularly appreciated the services of chairman and deputy chairman senate for promoting democratic norms.
Senator Nilofer Bakhtiar admitted that despite efforts, still a lot of agenda remained unfinished. She hoped that the newcomers would continue strengthening democratic institutions and make pro-people policies.
Senator Abdur Rashid observed that the rulers were not willing to obey the constitution. He particularly pointed out the issue of missing persons, FCR and highhandedness of the intelligence agencies. He demanded the government do the needful to “bring the people of FATA in the ambit of humanity”.
Senator Salim Saifullah condemned the Sindh government for not granting leave to former Sindh chief minister Arbab Abdur Rahim as member of the provincial assembly. Senator Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi staged a walk out against the decision of the Sindh government. However, Chief Whip Islamuddin Shaikh assured the House that he would take up the issue with the provincial government.
Senator Abdul Khaliq Pirzada apologised to the nation for not getting their problems resolved in six years. Prof Ibrahim Khan said the government was least bothered about establishing rule of law in the country. He also asked the government to resolve the issue of FCR.
Senator Humayun Khan Mandokhel while paying tribute to the outgoing senators said he as a young member of the Senate had learnt a lot from the experience of his colleagues. Senator Dr Abdul Malik said it was great pleasure for him that democracy was taking roots in the country and for which both Houses of the parliament had great contributions. Senator Gulshan Saeed specially lauded the role of female senators for the pro-women legislation in the House.
Senators Rehmat Ullah Kakar, Kalsoom Perveen, Dr Khalid Soomro and Javed Ali Shah also spoke on the occasion and called for giving special attention to resolution of problems of the common man.
In response to reservations expressed by Senator Semeen Siddiqui, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the staff of passport office and a mobile unit had been assigned to remain present in the Parliament House on Wednesday (today) to issue blue passports to outgoing senators. He further said each senator would also be issued an arms license of prohibited bore. Later, the Senate chairman adjourned the House for today.
