ISLAMABAD - Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed 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 panel convened in connection with launching of new website of the committee and presentation of its first report at the Parliament House. The Senate Defence Committee is the first Committee of the Parliament to have its own website and to have produced a report within six weeks of its formation.
Chairman Senate Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari was the chief guest on the occasion.
Senator Mushahid said that the defence committee would establish new parliamentary traditions and 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 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.
Chairman Senate Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari said that in the changed parliamentary scenario after restoration of democracy in the country, the Senate of Pakistan has redefined its role as per the best parliamentary traditions and norms. The Upper House is now playing a laudable role to nurture the frail sapling of democracy being a guardian of provincial rights, equality and national solidarity.  He said that the Senate Standing  Committee on Defence and Defence Production holds the unique distinction of being the first committee that presented its report within weeks of its formation and also launched an effective website. The Senate is pleased to welcome this initiative because these reports and website present a positive perspective on Pakistan’s resilient democracy and vibrant parliament, the Chairman Senate added.
He remarked that the current committee is composed of eminent and towering political heavyweights, including both Leader of the House and Opposition as well as deputy chairman Senate. Top six leading political parties of Pakistan are represented in the Committee. He expressed the hope that under the chairmanship of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the defence committee will play a significant role as per its mandate and vision of the 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.