Senate’s Defence Committee launches its website

Islamabad (July 23, 2012): The first comprehensive report and interactive website of the Senate Committee on Defence and Defence Production symbolises vibrant Parliament of Pakistan with a noble aim to play its vital role to bridge civil and military organs of the state. Chairman Senate Syed Nayar Hussain Bukhari made these remarks during in-house meeting to launch the committee website (www.senatedefencecommittee.com.pk) in the presence of Chairman Defence Committee Mushahid Hussain Sayed here on Monday.

Senator Mushhid Hussain Chairman of the committee, in his welcoming address, highlights the achievements of defence committee and said the committee would play proactive role to pave way for promoting Pakistan’s Defence through development and democracy adding the committee will be first line of defence to protect the professional role of armed forces and security intuitions, which they are building according to the constitution. The committee would launch report after every two months, he added.

Both the defence report and website provide access to information regarding committee’s activities paving way for transparency and accountability of defence matters. The report also contains information to build a case against Drone Warfare.

The launching ceremony was attended by Senators Ch. Shujaat Hussain, Farhatullah Babar, Talha Mehmood, Raja Zafural Haq, Ishaq Dar, Ms. Sehar Kamran and members of Defence Reporters Forum. Ahmed Bilal and Ms. Aasia Riaz from Pildat represented the civil society on this occasion.

The audience appreciated the professionally designed website which is interactive in nature and open for comments and suggestions.

The defence report covers the minutes of meetings of Committee, public hearings, future action plan, profiles of members and details on drone and the damage they do. The report has the work plan for 2012 including briefings by three services, strategic plans division, services intelligence directorate and defence production facilities and their role to strengthen national economy.

The report of Committee would help to design defence policy besides seeking the strong coordination between Civilian – Military relations in an institutional manner and upholding the principle of supremacy of constitution.

By the end of 2012, Committee would be in a position to produce a document on defence policy and security strategy for Pakistan with proposal and recommendations keeping in viewing the changing nature of defense and regional security situation. Mushahid Hussain informed.

All members acknowledged the work done by D&DP team and pledged to support for betterment. Farhatullah Babar, Presidential Spokesman, suggested to the Committee members to write articles and write-ups helping to design comprehensive strategy for national defense.

Senator Ch. Shujaat Hussain, Chief of Pakistan Muslim League appreciated the endeavors of Defence Committee and pledged to extend full cooperation.

Senator Talha Mehmood appreciated the efforts of Chairman Mushahid Hussain for unique initiative of launching the website and 1st report.

Raja Zafural Haq also commended the work of the team of D&DF Committe. He also showed concerns about the increasing security pressures on the borders of Pakistan.

Senator Ishaq Dar said Committee’s role is very sensitive hoping that Committee would play a positive role in the difficult security situations.

Senator Ms Sehar Kamran lauded the report and vowed to extend full support to make the Committee proactive as regards national defense policy. She suggested to sympathies with the families of Gayari Sector martyrs