Parliament striving to bring about KHAKI-MUFTI harmony: Mushahid

Date : April 26, 2013

Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed has said that Pakistan today is a vibrant democracy and there are multiple power centers playing effective role in strengthening democracy and democratic traditions in the country. He was expressing these views in a meeting with a delegation comprising of 75 officers from command and Staff College Quetta led by Colonel Saqib Ali Cheema at Parliament house here today.

In his briefing, Mushahid referred to proactive role of Senate including policy making in such areas related to defence and defence related issues. Talking about Senate as an equally representative body of all federating units, the role of Senate hence becomes very crucial in this regard. Mushahid cited the example of Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production which is very strong committee with its own website, generates regular reports and for the first time in Parliamentary history is holding public hearing on such issues like civil military relations and the need for new defence strategy in light of new emerging security environment.

Senator Mushahid Hussain praised the role of armed forces saying that our valiant men in Khaki are giving tremendous sacrifices in war against terrorism and extremism and definitely fighting the battle for Pakistan. He reiterated, “We are all proud of professionalism of our armed forces. In this regard, it is mentioned in the constitution of Pakistan that judiciary and armed forces were national institutions which should not be subjected to any kind of criticism.”

An animated question answer session followed the briefing and souvenirs were exchanged. The questions pertained to civilian vision of civil military relations as well as national defence strategy. The delegates also questioned why education did not seem to be high priority in policy making as well as sought reasons for lack of legislation about terrorism. Responding, Senator Mushahid said that unfortunately certain sections of political elites did not deem education a top priority, the way forward is allocation of development funds to education and health which are often wasted otherwise. Expressing his views regarding lack of legislation to curb terrorism, Senator Mushahid said that this is an issue of legislature, government and judiciary. The Senator accepted the criticism on the Parliament and said that it had unfortunately been slow to find relevant legislation in this regard.

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