RAJA PERVEZ ASHRAF: SPEAKER OF THE PEOPLE
“Enhancing the esteem and respect of this house is my aspiration and first priority is to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution of Pakistan.” (Former PM Raja Pervez Ashraf address while taking oath as the 22nd NA Speaker)
Democracy is meaningless without true participation and inclusion of people. It is parliament which not only represents the will of the common people but it also strives for their welfare, progress and prosperity. It is this institution which reflects the true aspirations and desires of the people through their public representatives. Public representatives have the onus and honour to keep them exerting for the welfare of public keeping in view the futuristic impacts of their daily actions and their policy initiatives.
Some public representatives have deep roots in the hearts of their people and their hearts beat with their people’s hearts. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan Raja Pervez Ashraf‘s hearts beat with common people and his every action reflect his deep love for his people. This love keeps on pushing him such destinies which are dreams of many but the few have the hounour to realize such dreams. The fate is reciprocal to intentions and Raja’s fate remains determined to push him on such distinguish places which remain historic in themselves. He has the honor to be Prime Minster of Pakistan when the civilian government completed its full five-year term on 17th March 2013; first ever in the country’s political and democratic history. He was elected unopposed as 22nd Speaker of National Assembly of Pakistan which witnessed the first-ever successful vote of no-confidence in Pakistan’s parliamentary and democratic history. He is also bestowed with the hounour to be elected as 2nd unopposed Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan after Father of National Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who was the first Speaker of National Assembly being elected unopposed.
Under visionary, sagacious and seasoned leadership of Speaker of the people Raja Pervez Ashraf, it is 1st ever Parliament of Pakistan which opened its doors for the downtrodden, marginalized and ignored segments of society. Children, Women, Minorities and transgender held their special convocations while participating in the diamond jubilee celebration of 1st legislative Assembly on 10th August 2023. The children, women, minorities and even transgender were honoured to address/deliver their speeches within august house to express their aspirations and vision for bright future of the century. They 1st time feel themselves the essential and living part of parliament. Their presence and speeches in the house would continue to echo ever after.
This parliament under the futuristic vision of the Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf remains at forefront to be the 1st parliament where 1st ever parliamentary caucus on child rights was enacted to ensure the wellbeing and bright future of country. On 11th August 2023, as per vision of Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan, the minorities and women held their session. It became the first ever parliament which opens its doors for the people of Pakistan and abridged gap between people and their representatives. By opening doors of the parliament for every Pakistani he proved himself as unequivocal speaker of the people. These Diamond Jubilee celebrations were well praised by the public and it was a child’s speech in Parliament which was viewed by 6 million people on Twitter and for the first time Parliament’s Twitter account remained top trending.
“Wall of democracy”, “know your constitution-a digital app”,’ Yadgara-e-dastoor’ “ Bagh-e-Dastoor”,“issuance of commemoration coin and postal stamp”, the exhibition of historical pictures of the moments of constitution making’ Inclusion of basics of 1973 constitution in national curriculum- the 1st ever consensus based constitution an ever living symbol of political sagaciousness of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto-in the National curriculum, holding debating competition to spread awareness regarding constitution at all educational institutions across the have been the hall mark of the vision of Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf to celebrate the golden jubilee celebration of 1973 constitution of Pakistan. By spearheading the each activity to celebrate constitution, he proves himself as the upholder of sanctity of constitution.
The parliament under leadership of Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan Raja Pervez Ashraf would ever be remembered for its extraordinary performance of 16th month as it was the first time in the history of Parliament that the doors of national assembly were opened for three days to marginalized segment of the society like women, children, minorities and transgender to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the House. The 1st ever parliamentary caucus on Children was also formed due to special concern of the Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf.
It is not length of time that matters what matters is the future impacts of initiatives especially legislation has this characteristics as Legislation is the prime product of democratic process. Although it was the just 16th month but its achievements have long lasting impacts in the parliamentary history of country. The prominent legislation enacted by National Assembly includes Election Bill, Rahmatul Alameen Authority Bill, National Highway Safety Bill, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Bill, Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, Export and Import of Pakistan Bill, National Accountability (Second Amendment) Bill, Pakistan Tobacco. Bill, Anti-Dumping Duties Bill, Capital Development Authority Bill, Martyrdom Bill, Petroleum Bill, Foreign Investment and Local Government Elections Bill in Islamabad are included.
Marginalized, common and downtrodden are the people who become first causality of climate induced catastrophes. Raja Pervez Ashraf being speaker of the people have been the forefront fight case for climate justice. Under his vision of international parliamentary diplomacy to a two-day seminar of the member countries of the IPU Asia Pacific Region on the achievement of SDGs was also held on 13 and 14 September 2022 at the Parliament House, Islamabad. In the seminar, the delegates of the member countries were made aware of the worst flood disaster in Pakistan.IPU Asia-Pacific region countries were asked to present an emergency resolution at the IPU General Assembly in Rwanda.
With the efforts of the Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf, a resolution was presented in the IPU General Assembly meeting held in Rwanda to establish a fund for countries affected by climate change.Raja Pervez Ashraf- the Speaker of the people has been striving for the welfare of the people following the footsteps of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhuttoo and Mohatrama Shaheed Benazir Bhuttoo who are ever green in the hearts of each Pakistani.
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