Govt committed to strengthening democratic institutions: Dr Tariq Fazal

ISLAMABAD, Jun 20 (APP):Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Fazal Chaudhry on Saturday said that the government remained committed to strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing parliamentary supremacy and ensuring effective governance in accordance with the Constitution.

Speaking in the National Assembly during the debate on charged expenditures, the minister thanked Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and the chair for conducting the budget session in an impartial and patient manner. He said that the House had held lengthy sittings since the presentation of the federal budget, with members from both treasury and opposition benches being given ample opportunity to participate in the debate. He appreciated the active participation of opposition parties and allied members, describing the budget discussion as a healthy and productive exercise.

The minister said the government had carefully considered the suggestions put forward by lawmakers, adding that many of those recommendations had been reflected in the winding-up speech of the finance minister. Criticizing the opposition’s approach, he said that most of its speeches revolved around a limited set of issues, including the release and meetings of Imran Khan, his medical treatment, the 2024 elections and other political matters, instead of focusing on the technical aspects of the budget. He said parliamentary debates on financial matters should focus on substantive policy and economic issues rather than political rhetoric. Referring to judicial reforms, the minister said the government had restored Parliament’s role in the process of judicial appointments, which he said had earlier been taken away from the legislature. He added that opposition members were also represented in the relevant parliamentary committee and had a meaningful role in the process. Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said another major achievement of the government was the establishment of constitutional benches to hear constitutional matters separately, enabling ordinary courts to focus on cases involving the general public and helping improve the delivery of justice.

He said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was performing its constitutional responsibilities in a fair and impartial manner, whether in general elections or local government polls. He praised Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, describing him as a competent and highly respected public servant. He said delays in constitutional appointments often occurred because certain political parties failed to fulfill the constitutional requirements necessary for such appointments.

The minister said that Parliament could only be strengthened through the collective efforts of both the government and the opposition. He appreciated Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb for remaining present throughout the budget debate and listening to recommendations from lawmakers despite an extensive parliamentary schedule.

Dr. Tariq Fazal criticized the opposition for raising slogans against the budget before the finance minister had even begun his speech, saying such conduct reflected political non-seriousness. He urged the opposition members to play a constructive role in parliamentary proceedings rather than relying on protests and disruptions.

Referring to criticism of state institutions, he said Parliament, the armed forces and national security institutions were pillars of the state and guarantors of Pakistan’s security and federal structure. He maintained that undue criticism of these institutions amounted to weakening the state itself. The minister highlighted Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and strategic achievements, saying the country had gained international recognition through its role in US-Iran peace agreement. He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their contributions to diplomatic initiatives and efforts aimed at regional stability.

Paying tribute to the armed forces, he noted that more than 4,000 officers and soldiers had embraced martyrdom over the past three years while defending the country. He said the sacrifices rendered by security personnel and their families should be respected and honored.

Turning to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Dr. Tariq Fazal said that the government had engaged in extensive negotiations with the banned Joint Action Committee and implemented a majority of the agreed measures. He said the size of the AJK cabinet had been reduced from 36 to 20 members, compensation had been provided to victims and injured protesters, and 177 terrorism-related cases registered during demonstrations had been withdrawn. He added that new educational boards had been established and relief measures introduced for affected residents, including electricity bill concessions and allotments for those impacted by infrastructure projects. The minister rejected claims that the government had failed to honor its commitments, saying significant progress had been made on the agreed agenda.

He emphasized that the issue of 12 reserved refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly was a constitutional matter. Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry termed the opposition’s conduct in the House as “non-parliamentary and undemocratic,” saying it was contrary to democratic norms, parliamentary traditions and the country’s cultural values. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had repeatedly extended invitations to the opposition for dialogue and political engagement. He noted that the prime minister had personally approached opposition leaders on several occasions, including during parliamentary proceedings, and had urged them to sit together and discuss national issues. The minister said that former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser was witness to the prime minister’s efforts to initiate dialogue. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah and other government representatives had consistently encouraged talks with the opposition leadership. Expressing satisfaction over recent developments, he said the opposition had finally shown willingness to engage in dialogue with the government.

The minister stressed that Parliament remained the most appropriate forum for resolving political differences and national challenges. Highlighting the country’s challenges, Dr. Fazal pointed to issues facing Balochistan, the former tribal districts, and the broader economy, saying all political stakeholders must play a constructive role in addressing them.