Rabbani says parliamentary form of govt pivotal for stronger Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani has said parliamentary form of government and provincial autonomy are pivotal to make Pakistan stronger and prosperous.

He was addressing a seminar titled “Concept of Parliamentary Democracy and Federalism” in Islamabad on Tuesday evening.

The Chairman said he is against any administrative division of provinces. He said the ruling elite of Pakistan had been in denial to accept the country as a multiethnic society since independence. He said denying the provinces their rights, denying the people of their language and culture has weakened the country.

Mian Raza Rabbani said attempts were made to marginalize the political class of Pakistan. He said that all the stakeholders, including politicians must accept their mistakes to weaken the system.

He said foundations of Pakistan lies in the parliamentary system, which was achieved after rendering numerous sacrifices and coordinated efforts of the people of Pakistan. He said the people of Pakistan have rejected the presidential form of government and adopted the parliamentary form of government.

Leader of the House in the Senate, Raja Zafar-ul-Haq said Pakistan is making progress by overcoming all odds and difficulties under the Constitution. He said democracy is stable in Pakistan more than in the past. He said the political forces worked laboriously to purge the constitution of ills introduced in it.

Raja Zafar-ul-Haq said the constitution was made representative of the aspirations of the people of Pakistan. He said the provincial autonomy has been ensured in the constitution.

The Chairman said provinces' rights over their resources must be respected.

Leader of the opposition in the Senate Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan said constitution was restored to its original state through 18th amendment.

The Concept of Parliamentary Democracy and Federalism seminar was presided over by Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani is in progress in Islamabad.

Addressing the participants, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak said the continuity of system is key to achieve democratic goals.

He said the 1973 Constitution is most important consensus document in the country’s constitutional history.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said Pakistan’s Constitution is unique and still acceptable to all political parties, including progressive and religious groups.

He said the 18th Amendment to the Constitution further improved the document.

Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader, Mahmood Khan Achakzai asked people to preserve and protect the Constitution.

Addressing the seminar, Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana said the Constitution respects and guarantees rights of the citizens of Pakistan.

He said all the federating units are integral part of Pakistan. He said national interests should be kept supreme over political mileage.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said Pakistan’s Constitution is unique and still acceptable to all political parties, including progressive and religious groups.

Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader, Mahmood Khan Achakzai asked people to preserve and protect the Constitution – Radio Pakistan