ISLAMABAD -UNS: Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani highlighted the importance of a strong, collaborative relationship between the Parliament and the media for the advancement of parliamentary democracy.Addressing a luncheon in honor of the members of the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA) at Parliament House,hosted by him,he said that “we live in the age of media, which has evolved rapidly by adopting modern tools and technologies”.
The Chairman Senate praised journalists for their dedication, integrity, and fact-based reporting, which keeps the public informed and holds the system accountable. A transparent Parliament and a free press, he said, are the true essence of democracy.
Highlighting the crucial role of media, Gilani noted, “Your pen acts as a bridge between the people and those in power. The media’s responsibility in promoting national cohesion and strengthening institutions by highlighting truth is more significant than ever. In today’s environment, the need for responsible journalism has increased manifold. Fake news and misinformation spread through digital platforms undermine public trust.”
Sharing his own journey, he remarked that during his tenure as Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Assembly, and now as Chairman Senate, he had always taken practical steps to promote journalism and address the concerns of media professionals. “I have a background in journalism myself, and my family has
served the political landscape for over 450 years,” he added. He also recalled being unanimously elected as Chairman of the Upper House of Parliament.
Paying tribute to the founding leadership of his political party, he said, “Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gifted the nation the 1973 Constitution, and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto restored its original form through the Charter of Democracy—a remarkable and difficult achievement that was made possible through the strength of Parliament and the people.”
Addressing the luncheon, Chairman Senate’s Media Advisor Mian Khurram Rasool thanked Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani for hosting the event and acknowledged his tireless efforts in promoting democracy and free press in Pakistan.
Senior journalist and founding member of PRA, Hafiz Tahir Khalil (recipient of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz), also addressed the gathering and expressed the hope that such engagement between PRA and the Senate would continue on an annual basis. He also expressed hope that just as Chairman Gilani has utilized AI to modernize parliamentary processes, PRA would also benefit from similar advancement.
PRA President Usman Khan thanked the Chairman Senate, Media Advisor, and Senate Media Directorate for their consistent support, and appreciated the cooperation in addressing PRA-related issues. He suggested integrating PRA’s website with the Senate website and initiating capacity- building training for PRA members through the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS).
PRA Secretary Naveed Akbar, in his remarks, stated that journalism and democracy are intrinsically linked and expressed hope that the issues raised would be addressed on a priority basis.
The luncheon was attended by Deputy Chairman Senate Syedal Khan, Senate Secretary Syed Hasnain Haider, and a large number of PRA members.
