Islamabad (July 23, 2012): The first comprehensive report and interactive website of the Senate Committee on Defence and Defence Production symbolises vibrant Parliament of Pakistan with a noble aim to play its vital role to bridge civil and military organs of the state. Chairman Senate Syed Nayar Hussain Bukhari made these remarks during in-house meeting to launch the committee website (www.senatedefencecommittee.com.pk) in the presence of Chairman Defence Committee Mushahid Hussain Sayed here on Monday.
Senator Mushhid Hussain Chairman of the committee, in his welcoming address, highlights the achievements of defence committee and said the committee would play proactive role to pave way for promoting Pakistan’s Defence through development and democracy adding the committee will be first line of defence to protect the professional role of armed forces and security intuitions, which they are building according to the constitution. The committee would launch report after every two months, he added.
Both the defence report and website provide access to information regarding committee’s activities paving way for transparency and accountability of defence matters. The report also contains information to build a case against Drone Warfare.
The launching ceremony was attended by Senators Ch. Shujaat Hussain, Farhatullah Babar, Talha Mehmood, Raja Zafural Haq, Ishaq Dar, Ms. Sehar Kamran and members of Defence Reporters Forum. Ahmed Bilal and Ms. Aasia Riaz from Pildat represented the civil society on this occasion.
The audience appreciated the professionally designed website which is interactive in nature and open for comments and suggestions.
The defence report covers the minutes of meetings of Committee, public hearings, future action plan, profiles of members and details on drone and the damage they do. The report has the work plan for 2012 including briefings by three services, strategic plans division, services intelligence directorate and defence production facilities and their role to strengthen national economy.
The report of Committee would help to design defence policy besides seeking the strong coordination between Civilian - Military relations in an institutional manner and upholding the principle of supremacy of constitution.
By the end of 2012, Committee would be in a position to produce a document on defence policy and security strategy for Pakistan with proposal and recommendations keeping in viewing the changing nature of defense and regional security situation. Mushahid Hussain informed.
All members acknowledged the work done by D&DP team and pledged to support for betterment. Farhatullah Babar, Presidential Spokesman, suggested to the Committee members to write articles and write-ups helping to design comprehensive strategy for national defense.
Senator Ch. Shujaat Hussain, Chief of Pakistan Muslim League appreciated the endeavors of Defence Committee and pledged to extend full cooperation.
Senator Talha Mehmood appreciated the efforts of Chairman Mushahid Hussain for unique initiative of launching the website and 1st report.
Raja Zafural Haq also commended the work of the team of D&DF Committe. He also showed concerns about the increasing security pressures on the borders of Pakistan.
Senator Ishaq Dar said Committee’s role is very sensitive hoping that Committee would play a positive role in the difficult security situations.
Senator Ms Sehar Kamran lauded the report and vowed to extend full support to make the Committee proactive as regards national defense policy. She suggested to sympathies with the families of Gayari Sector martyrs.
supremacy of the Parliament not by words alone, but through performance and leadership with new ideas & issues
Islamabad, 23rd July, 2012
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production has said that supremacy of the Parliament cannot be ensured by words alone but through performance and leadership with new ideas, issues and initiatives. He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production convened in connection with launching of new website of the Committee and presentation of its first report at the Parliament House. It may be added that the Senate Defence Committee is the first Committee of the Parliament to have its own website and to have produced a report with in six weeks of its formation.
Chairman Senate Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari was the chief guest on the occasion. Senator Mushahid, in his opening remarks, said that the Defence Committee would establish new parliamentary traditions and would seek guidance from all the stakeholders including defence and security institutions, think tanks, media and others to formulate solid recommendations to further strengthen the defence of the country. He apprised the Chairman Senate of the 2012 Work Plan and other initiatives of the committee, adding that a Defence Policy Strategy document would be prepared annually to give specific proposals on how to promote harmony between the Khaki and Mufti, and to redefine some of the basic premises of National Defence Strategy in light of new challenges and emerging ground realities. He also said that there will be regular defence briefings for reporters and the report of the committee would be presented bi-monthly.
He remarked that the current committee is composed of eminent and towering political heavyweights, including both Leader of the House ad Opposition as well as Honourbale Deputy Chairman Senate. Top six leading political parties of Pakistan are represented in the Committee. He expressed the hope that under the professional and dynamic Chairmanship of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the Defence Committee will play a significant role as per its mandate and vision of the worthy Members. He further said that the Work Plan of the committee is not less ambitious compared to its other lofty pursuits in sync with stated commitment to pursuing transparency, parliamentary oversight and public accountably. “I am sure this work plan would put the committee through its paces since it also envisages, inter alia a comprehensive Annual Defence Policy and Strategy Paper by the year’s end” Mr. Bokhari observed. The valuable information regarding Drone warfare and the fact-sheet prepared by the Chairman Committee on the history of Civil-Military relations in Pakistan, bring forth and informative and factual depiction of key issues in their true perspective.
Regarding other key initiatives, the Chairman Senate observed that formation of Defence reporters’ Forum and its own website are also highly commendable for providing a mechanism to make its proceedings transparent and enhance its public outreach in line with the modern concept of a progressive, open and accountable parliament. In order to ensure transparency and accountability, he said, greater Media access to committee meetings has also been ensured.
Members of the Committee termed it a good beginning. They commended efforts of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and expressed the hope that the committee would proactively engage in such a discourse which would help in formulating recommendations on new footings. They observed that the national security is of paramount significance and unanimity of opinion exists among all sheds of thought.
Later, the Chairman Senate formally launched the website of the Committee. Senator Mushahid also presented first report of the committee to Chairman Senate.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed thanked the Chairman Senate, members of the Committee, pildate, media, Secretary Senate Iftekharullah Babar and Special Secretary Senate Amjed Pervez for their support and contribution.
Senators Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Farhatullah Baber, Sardar Ali Khan , Mrs. Sehar Kamran , Raja Muhammad Zafar-ul-haq, Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Senator Muhammad Talha Mehmood Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotic Control and Senator Mrs. Rubina Irfan attended the committee. Secretary Senate Iftekharullah Babar and Special Secretary Senate Amjed Pervez were also present.
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