ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari Tuesday stressed the need for continuity and consistency of democratic process in the country in order to achieve lasting political stability that is bedrock of ultimate progress and prosperity of the people of Pakistan.
He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS) led by its President Syed Sarmad Ali at Parliament House.
The Chairman said "let political parties go back to the people as they are the best judge in a democratic process which is evolutionary in nature and it matures with continuity and consistency and giving people the opportunity to elect their representative according to their aspirations.
People of Pakistan are the real owner of political power and their representatives should use delegated power and authority only to achieve goals and objectives in line with the peoples aspirations.
Bokhari also said that both media and judiciary are enjoying complete freedom and independence in the country and legislature is playing its part effectively hence we all must work in collaboration for uplift of the people and our country in the comity of nations.
About the role of Senate, he said that Senate is playing very effective role as a legislature as well as oversight and accountability body owing to its strong standing committees and their proper functioning.
He said that APNS delegation that most of the meetings of the Senate standing committees are open to media and their presence is fruitful in the sense that members of the committees become more vigilant and careful.
Answering a query of APNS delegation regarding devolution after 18th Amendment and making local bodies role effective in democratic dispensation, the Senate chairman said that now the provinces have been delegated more powers and now it is in their jurisdiction to make local bodies more powerful.
Earlier the chairman Senate congratulate the newly elected office bearers of APNS and stressed the need for active liaison of media with other important pillar of the state foe enhanced oversight and effective service delivery to the public.
The APNS delegation told Nayyar Bokhari that 40 percent government advertisements go to non-APNS newspapers which is matter of concern for them.
The APNS delegation comprised Syed Sarmad Ali,President,Mehtab Khan, Senior Vice President, Masood Hamid,Secretary General, Mushtaq Qureshi, Tanvir A Tahir, Sardar Niazi, and Gohar Zahid Malik, executive members.