Islamabad, In a series of poignant farewell speeches, outgoing senators emphasized the collective responsibility of political parties to bolster democracy in Pakistan. The session, marked by a blend of retrospection and forward-looking statements, also highlighted the government’s commitment to various national and international issues, including the repatriation of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui from the United States.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Leader of the House in the Senate, Ishaq Dar, responded to Senator Mushtaq Ahmad’s inquiries by affirming that the government, upon the formation of the cabinet, will prioritize diplomatic engagements with the United States for Dr. Siddiqui’s return. Dar recalled the historical efforts of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) aimed at bringing back the “daughter of the nation.”
The session was also an opportunity for the senators to voice their perspectives on several key issues. Bahramand Tangi stressed the need for all political entities to foster democracy. Molvi Faiz Muhammad called for legislation in alignment with Islamic teachings and advocated for Balochistan’s rightful share in natural resources. Senator Mushtaq Ahmad underscored the importance of granting provinces their constitutional rights to strengthen the federation.
Shaheen Khalid Butt highlighted the necessity of recognizing the contributions of overseas Pakistanis through welfare measures and the need for a vigorous international stance on the Kashmir issue. Muhammad Akram deemed Balochistan as pivotal for Pakistan’s future, urging focused efforts to resolve its challenges. Keshoo Bai, representing the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), took pride in her efforts to voice the concerns of Tharparkar and other marginalized areas.
Calls for women’s empowerment and emancipation were strongly made by Abida Muhammad Azeem, while Sana Jamali cherished her role in representing Pakistan internationally. Contributions to the discussion also came from Seemi Ezdi, Saleem Mandviwalla, and Syed Waqar Mehdi, among others.
The Senate adjourned with plans to reconvene, marking a moment of transition and the senators’ collective aspiration for a robust, democratic Pakistan.