ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani on Monday said the nation had to forge unity in its ranks to protect, preserve and uphold the dignity of the Parliament and the Constitution. He expressed these views while talking to the media after attending a ceremony held at the Monument of ‘Unsung Heroes of Democracy’ at Parliament House. “Parliament reflects the will and aspirations of the people and has a crucial role in strengthening democratic values and foundation of the democracy in the country,” he said. Flanked by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Muhammad Ayaz Sadiq, the Senate secretary and other senior officers of both the houses of Parliament, Rabbani observed that federation needed to be further strengthened. “In this regard, we have to reiterate our commitment and resolve to work for making the democracy strong and avoid any confrontation among institutions of the state,” he said. The Senate chairman said politics of confrontation was not in the interest of the country and politicians should act sagaciously to work for the socio-economic development of the country and overcoming the challenges on social, political and economic fronts being faced by the country. Both the Senate chairman and the National Assembly speaker also laid wreaths on the monument of the ‘Unsung Heroes of Democracy’ in the Parliament lawns and paid glowing tribute to those political workers who had faced hardships and scarified their lives for upholding democracy and struggled for supremacy of the Constitution. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq congratulated the nation on the eve of 70th ‘Independence Day’. “This day reminds us of the unforgettable struggle and sacrifices made by our forefathers for the next generations to live in freedom,” he said. The speaker urged the countrymen to pledge for steering Pakistan on the path of prosperity and development. He said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had entrusted the nation with a sacred trust to transform Pakistan into a citadel of peace and a model for all other nations. “August 14 is a reminiscent of countless sacrifices rendered for establishment, defense and security of Pakistan,” he said. The speaker also paid rich tribute to the martyred heroes of Pakistan. The speaker highlighted that the day was a pride for the Pakistani nation that was celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm. “This day gives us the message to work whole-heartedly with full devotion for the prosperity and development of our beloved country. We need to work with strong passion and commitment for the betterment and advancement of our homeland,” he said. “On this Independence Day, let us rethink about our plans, our actions and their outcomes for forging synergies in the best interest of our country and raising Pakistan to new heights of development,” he said. Published in Daily Times, August 15th 2017.