Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari and Sabir Ali Baloch were elected Chairman and Deputy Chairman Senate unopposed on Monday afternoon.
Later, Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari took oath as Senate Chairman. Afrasiab Khattak administered the oath. The Deputy Chairman also took oath which was administered by Chairman of the Upper House Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari.
In their congratulatory speeches to the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman said the opposition has shown its goodwill gesture and called for the resolution of pressing problems of Balochistan and missing persons on priority basis.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri expressed the hope that the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman will fulfill their responsibilities in an honest manner. He said the opposition has given a goodwill message to the government by not fielding their own candidates for Chairman and Deputy Chairman.
He said the opposition had always extended its cooperation to the government and its good work and identified the weaknesses.
Maulana Ghafoor Haidri said they have to work collectively for the progress and prosperity of the county, revival of economy and maintenance of law and order.
Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain said conspiracies were hatched to stop Senate elections. He paid tributes to the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari who always encouraged them and assured that Senate elections will be held on time. He said this has come true today.
Farhatullah Babar said genuine political workers have been elected as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Senate unanimously. He said this unity will convey a good message to the world. He also welcomed four minority members to the Upper House.
Babar Khan Ghauri extended congratulation on behalf of his party to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman over their unanimous elections. He said we have to make a pledge that we will work together for resolution of the problems being faced by the people and to improve the image of the country. He said the forthcoming budget should be relief-oriented.
In his speech, Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo said Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the House were elected on merit and for this PPP deserved congratulation. He said election of Aitzaz Ahsan, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Farhatullah Babar, Saifullah Magsi, Mustafa Kamal and Zulfiqar Khosa, will raise the level of the Senate proceedings and it will play an active role for the betterment of the country and the nation. He stressed the need for bringing the foreign policy under the Parliament. He also stressed the need for resolution of missing persons issues and Balochistan problems.
Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah said the Senate has a paramount importance in democracy. He said it is utmost important that democracy in Pakistan should succeed and pointed out that it would only succeed if Parliament is successful in resolving the problems of the people. He said there is a need that political parties create a consensus on major political issues like economy, unemployment, poverty and war on terror to address these challenges.
Haji Muhammad Adeel said that the Upper House has equal representation of the federating units hence it is in a better position to resolve the problems of the people. He was of the view that the Senate should be given power so that it can make amendments in money bill.
Jahangir Badar thanked the members of the Senate on behalf of Pakistan Peoples Party for supporting and unanimously electing the PPP candidates for the Chairman and Deputy Chairman. He also welcomed the newly elected Senators to the House. He said that Pakistan Peoples Party government is determined to hold free, fair and transparent elections whatever their outcome.
Congratulating the Chairman and Deputy Chairman for their unanimous election, Ishaq Dar expressed the confidence that they will take along the treasury and opposition benches. He said the 20th Amendment will help in holding free, fair and transparent elections. He said we have to sit together to resolve the issues relating to Balochistan and end the sense of deprivation of the people of the province. He said we should rise to the occasion to face the challenges of economy, security, sovereignty and law and order.
Aitzaz Ahsan while welcoming the minority members in the Upper House, proposed that word “Minorities” should replaced with “Better Pakistanis”. He stressed the need for legislation on the role of agencies. Others members who spoke on the occasion included Kalsoom Parveen, Hamza, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Syed Mustafa Kamal, Humayun Khan Mandokhel and Abbas Khan. They said it is good omen that all the democratic forces have decided with consensus to elect Chairman and Deputy Chairman unopposed. They said this is a changed Pakistan where the balance of power has now been shifted to democratic forces and civilian leadership. They said two issues should be resolved on priority including Balochistan and missing persons. They offered to extend full cooperation for running the House smoothly.
The Chairman Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari assured the members that he will be loyal to his oath and fulfill his responsibilities in a neutral manner. He said he will try his best not to provide any opportunity for complaints to anyone.