RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani on Monday demanded the government to organise the flag hoisting ceremonies of the Independence Day and Pakistan Day on August 14 and March 23 respectively in the premises of the Parliament House, keeping in view their significance and relevance with the democracy.

He said that both the Houses have a resolve to continue their efforts for promotion of democracy, rule of law and supremacy of Parliament. He was speaking at a reception organised by the Senate to commemorate the Constitution Day in lawn of the Parliament House in front of Monument of Unsung Heroes of the Democracy here on Monday.

The event was participated by Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Chairman Senate Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Leader of the House in Senate Raja Muhammad Zafar ul Haq, federal ministers, members of the Parliament, ambassador and high commissioners, representatives of civil society, media and peoples from different walks of life.

Rabbani said that organising Constitution Day event in premises of Parliament in front of the Monument of Unsung Heroes of Democracy is to remove the perception that such events related with the democracy and constitution cannot be held here due to security concerns.

He said, “We want to revive the tradition of flag hoisting in the Parliament lawn which was held here from 1986 to 1999 except for the dictator’s era and tenure of caretaker government of Moeen Qureshi.” These events were shifted to Convention Centre and other places.

He said that the significance of this event in front on the monument is also relevant as it is the best place to celebrate the Constitution Day to remember the sacrifices of the people whose resolve cannot be deterred despite tortures, imprisonment and they readily accepted the hanging gallows in the era of dictator.

Rabbani termed it unfortunate that democracy was not allowed to take roots in the country and deliberate attempts were made to undermine the role of the Parliament. However, it was the resilience and courage of the people of Pakistan which stood against all the odds and those efforts were repulsed thus showing that people can guard the system, the Parliament and the Constitution.

“I salute those who rendered sacrifices for democracy,” he said, adding that people faced lashes, rigorous imprisonments and even torture to death but their courage and valour remained unshakable.