Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Friday said mainstream political parties have extended support for legislation on extension in service of chief of army staff solely for the national cause and without any political consideration.
Talking to media persons at the Parliament House, she said the proposed amendment is aimed at removing technical lacuna in the Army Act to effectively handle service extension issues. She said the world has witnessed the entire nation standing behind the armed forces. She termed the legislation an important step towards ensuring liaison among state institutions, which also reflects statesmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Lauding leadership of major political parties for support on the legislation, she said it is imperative for political forces to give priority to national interests at a time when there are tensions at the international borders. She said the constitution lays the responsibility of country’s defense with the prime minister, adding that the parliament is going to further strengthen the democratic prime minister which will eventually help strengthen the country and the state institutions.
She called upon the parliamentarians to ensure sanctity of vote and voter through substantive and concrete steps, adding that ‘Pakistan comes first’ since it is the ultimate identity of every citizen. She said the political temperature in the country must come down, adding that political differences are the hallmark of politics. She said national interest is paramount, adding that country’s development, prosperity and growth are directly linked to political stability which ultimately brings foreign investment, jobs and controls price hike in the country. She said the prime minister has reiterated his stance of bringing Pakistan back on the track, thus leading to national prosperity. Responding to a question, she said that parliament through collective wisdom has to delineate future course of action as the proposed amendments in the NAB ordinance have also been laid in the House. “I am very hopeful that Maulana Fazl ur Rehman will review his stance and support the proposed amendment,” she said.
Separately, Dr Firdous said that Prime Minster Imran Khan has expressed the hope that all parliamentary parties and leaders will show unity on the issue of national security.
In a tweet after the meeting of the parliamentary party of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf and its allied parties chaired by the prime minister here, she said the elected legislators of PTI and its allied parties have reposed full confidence in the leadership of the prime minister and the steps taken by his government for welfare of the masses and development of the country. The attorney general gave a detailed briefing to the meeting on the amendment on the national security matter in detail, she said. The PM directed the members of the parliament to give more time to the masses and pay full attention towards resolution of their problems.
