In his farewell speech in the National Assembly, Khawaja Asif highlighted the urgent need for collective efforts to steer Pakistan towards economic stability. He emphasized the importance of utilizing the nation’s own resources instead of relying heavily on foreign loans.
One of the key concerns raised by Asif was the need to provide relief to the people of Pakistan who are suffering from soaring inflation. He highlighted that it is essential to take immediate actions to alleviate the economic burden on the citizens.
Reflecting on the positive aspect of democratic progress, Asif mentioned that despite the tumultuous politics of the 1990s, all subsequent assemblies have successfully completed their constitutional tenure. He acknowledged the stability and continuity provided by these assemblies, which has been instrumental in addressing critical national issues.
Raja Riaz, the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, attributed the current economic challenges to the wrong policies of the previous government, which had pushed Pakistan to the brink of default. However, Riaz appreciated the wise decision of the sitting parliamentarians to remove the PTI government through a no-confidence motion. The subsequent appointment of Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister prevented the economic default of the country, according to Riaz.
The National Assembly also passed significant bills aimed at protecting the rights of journalists and media workers. The “Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023” was passed to ensure the safeguarding of journalists’ rights in the country. Additionally, the Assembly passed “The Rahim Jan University Bill, 2023” and “The Acid and Burn Crime Bill, 2022.”
The House unanimously recommended renaming the Quetta International Airport and Gwadar Port after Shaheed Nawab Akbar Bugti as a tribute to his contribution to the nation and democracy.