This article was originally published in Business Recorder Paksitan

March 10, 2015 | Parliament House, Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday endorsed the nomination of Senator Raza Rabbani as candidate for the election of Chairman Senate and announced that the PML-N will not field any candidate for the posts of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Upper House.

Chairing a meeting of political leadership which he had invited at luncheon at the PM House to evolve consensus on the new Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Senate, the Prime Minister said decisions by consensus was a positive move and needed to be continued.

He said the PML-N had tried to take decision on all major national issues with consensus since it came into power.

The Prime Minister urged all political parties to forge consensus on all issues and chart a national course of action on major challenges confronting the country.

Prime Minister Sharif recalled his telephonic conversation with former President Asif Ali Zardari who had chaired a meeting of his party to discuss the matter. He said it would have been better had the former President also joined here and announced his party's decision at the meeting.

"It would have been good if he invited us yesterday or had accepted our invitation to be here," the Prime Minister said.

He said consensus had been reached to field Senator Raza Rabbani.

The Prime Minister said Rabbani was acceptable to all as he was a good parliamentarian and said he had no objection to his nomination by the Pakistan Peoples Party. He said the PML-N was not fielding any candidate for the post of Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

Prime Minister Sharif said it was his desire to discuss all vital issues with consensus and the current meeting was also being held in this regard.

The Prime Minister recalled that the representatives of political parties had gathered together earlier to put an end to the foul practice of use of funds for the election of Senators.

He said there was an urgent need for necessary legislation so that transparency be brought in the electon of the Senators.

He said if any party had absolute majority, then it should field its candidate, however in case no party had majority, all needed to sit together and try to agree on consensus candidates for the two posts.

He said this process of evolving consensus, brought in by his government, should continue, and all political parties, whether in government or in opposition, should discuss national issues and take a unanimous decision in the larger national interest.

The Prime Minister said there was a need to listen to critical comments by the opposition with an open heart. In this regard, he mentioned the handing over by the previous government to the new one following the 2013 elections in a democratic manner.

Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly, Khursheed Ahmad Shah while speaking on the occasion said the Prime Minister's open- heartedness had set a new and excellent tradition.

He said he had always been interested in good democratic traditions than the positions, adding that instead of power, the politics of values will strengthen Constitution and democracy in Pakistan.

He said good democratic traditions were set after the 2013 elections and this journey should continue.

Rauf Siddiqui of MQM congratulated (the Prime Mnister) on behalf of Altaf Hussain over the big decision.

Shah Gul Afreedi said the next generations would take pride of the Prime Minister's decision.

Hasil Bajinjo said the Prime Minister had made a new history today, which had new precedence in the past.

Asfanyar Wali said the Prime Minister for the first time in history had taken such a great step, adding, the authority of nominating the Deputy Chairman Senate should now be given to the Prime Minister.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam's Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the Prime Minister by his gesture of open-heartedness had strengthened the democratic process.

Prof Sajid Mir said today's decision of Prime Minister Sharif, who had earlier demonstrated such a spirit in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Azad Kashmir, will prove a milestone for national harmony.

Raja Pervez Ashraf thanked the Prime Minister for showing large heartedness and strengthening the spirit of Charter of Democracy, adding, the Prime Minister's decision has raised the stature of democracy in Pakistan.

Pir Sadaruddin Razshidi said the Prime Minister was continuously working to strengthen democracy and his today's decision will long be remembered.

Dr.G.G Jamal said the Prime Minister had enhanced the dignity of politics by exhibiting political sagacity.

Dr Farooq Sattar said the Prime Minister's decision was very appreciative for the promotion of democracy.

Your open-heartedness will help create a new political environment and Insha Allah Senate will become your hands and arms.

Later in his remarks during the lunch, the Prime Minister said the PML-N will not field its candidate for the slot of Deputy Chairman Senate, adding, however other political parties from Balochistan should take a consensus decision about the Deputy Chairman through consultation.

Later, the nominated candidate for the post of Chairman Senate, Senator Raza Rabbani also joined the lunch.

The Prime Minister warmly welcomed Senator Raza Rabbani and congratulated him. Raza Rabbani thanked the Prime Minister for his support.