The government will give Rs 10 million to each senator as development fund regardless of their political affiliations, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani said on Tuesday. “All members of the National Assembly and senators will get equal funds for the development of their respective areas,” he said at a dinner hosted by him in honour of senators at Prime Minister’s House.Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro, Leader of the House in Senate Mian Raza Rabbani, parliamentary leaders of various political parties in the Senate, and members of the federal cabinet were also present.
Gillani said the Senate, which was created under the Constitution of 1973, was a symbol of the federation as it gave equal representation to all provinces. He said the creation of Senate was meant to protect the rights of provinces, especially the smaller provinces, and remove their sense of deprivation. He said the coalition government was fighting for the rights of people and was committed to restoring of the Constitution.
He said people wanted the rule of law and the strengthening of state institutions, adding that institutions such as the Public Accounts Committee should be strengthened to ensure accountability.