Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has assured that details of the staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be made public. Speaking at the Senate Committee of the Whole on Thursday, he said once the agreement is signed, it will be put on the website of the Finance Ministry for review of the general public and nothing will be concealed. The Finance Minister said he believes in transparency and fiscal discipline in the country.

Responding to points raised earlier in the Committee, he said nobody in Pakistan can compromise the nuclear and missile assets of the country. He further said we are a sovereign nation and nobody in the world has the right to tell us what range of missiles we should have.

Earlier speaking on the floor of the Senate, the PPP leader Raza Rabbani said the Parliament must exert its authority to prevent other forces from indulging in the affairs of the legislature. He said the Parliament should not bow before the dictates from any quarters. Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mushtaq Ahmed Khan said Parliament should become the center of the aspirations of the people of Pakistan to strengthen true democracy in the country.

EU Ambassador Dr Riina Kionka said elected bodies ensure people's power, governance and rule of law. She said democracy is the core value of the European Union. She also congratulated the Senate of Pakistan on its Golden Jubilee. The High Commissioner of South Africa said late South African leader Nelson Mandella had decided to visit Pakistan twice. He said his country acknowledges Pakistan's contribution to the cause of peace. He called for more engagements between Pakistan and African countries. He appreciated Pakistan's "Look Africa Policy".

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-INP