The Senate resumed its special commemorative session at the Parliament House in Islamabad on Thursday with Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani in the chair. 

The special commemorative session marks the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Senate of Pakistan.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has assured that details of the staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund will be made public.

Speaking at the Senate Committee of the Whole today, 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 that 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 that 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.

Former Senator Sana Ullah Baloch said implementation of Constitution in letter and spirit is a panacea to make Pakistan a progressive country.

He said the Parliament should play its role in addressing concerns of the smaller provinces in light of the Constitution.

Ex-Senator Zahid Khan said the country cannot move forward without establishing the supremacy of the Parliament.

Senator Sarfaraz Bugti said the Senate should be given financial power and it must have a say over passage of the money bill.  

Jordan Ambassador to Pakistan Ibrahim Yala Al Madani extended congratulations to the leadership and people of Pakistan for celebrating 50 years of the Senate of Pakistan.

Palestine Ambassador Ahmed Rabei appreciated Pakistan’s support to Palestine issues.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed said the Senate had taken a bold stance on various foreign affairs and national issues in the past including Iraq war, Balochistan affairs and climate matters.

He said it is responsibility of both the government and the opposition to play their role in strengthening democracy.

Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri emphasized the need to revisit the current justice system and complete prohibition of the doctrine of necessity. He demanded financial powers for the Upper House.

Ambassador of Yemen Muhammad Motahar Alashabi said Pakistan is an important country of the Islamic world and the global community.

Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen called for strengthening the Upper House to safeguard rights of the smaller provinces.

Mauritius Ambassador Rashidally Soobadar said Mauritius has built a cohesive society through the parliament.

The High Commissioner of South Africa said late South African leader Nelson Mandella had decided to visit Pakistan twice. 

He called for more engagements between Pakistan and African countries. He appreciated Pakistan's "Look Africa Policy". 

Türkiye Ambassador Mehmet Paçaci said we consider Pakistan’s joy as ours and we are greatly thankful to Islamabad for extending all possible assistance to help the earthquake affected people of our country. He said both countries stand side by side in thick and thin.

Russian Ambassador Danila Ganich assured that his country will continue to strengthen the bond of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation with Pakistan. He congratulated the chairman on the Golden Jubilee of the Senate.

Chinese Charge d' Affairs to Pakistan Ms Pang Chunxue said China is committed to its foreign policy goals for upholding world peace and promoting common development. She said Beijing is willing to work with Islamabad to continuously deepen friendship, promote high quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and enhancing people to people contacts.

Besides, envoys of various countries, including Morocco, Indonesia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Syria, Thailand, Iran, Libya, and Iraq as well as the country director of the World Bank also addressed the august forum.

In addition, Sherry Rehman, Haji Hidayaullah Khan, Javed Abbasi, Tahir Bizinjo, Rukhsana Zuberi, Rozina Alam Khan, Raza Muhammad, Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar, Samina Mumtaz, Keshoo Bai, Rana Maqbool, Manzoor Kakar, Hafiz Khurshid Alam, Nuzhat Sadiq, and Saleem Mandviwalla were among those, who spoke on the occasion.