Army Chief's briefing in Senate is 'welcoming' says Shazia Marri

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Qammar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday gave an in-camera briefing on national security to the Senate standing senate.

As many senators praised the role of the army, Pakistan People’s Party leader Shazia Marri thinks that the briefing is “welcoming” and it should be held on a regular basis.

“The army’s chiefs briefing to Senate today, I think this is rather welcoming,” she said speaking during ARY News new program “Off the Record.”

She reminded it is first time in six years since the last briefing to joint session of parliament in 2011. However, she wished that the National Assembly was also addressed.

“We are passing through sensitve time on defence and secusity. It is necessary to hold regular briefings on these issues.”

“Better late than never. It welcoming he came after six years, if not six months.”

Marri said that it is preferable if there is another briefing to the joint session of parliament, and all parliamentarians are taken onboard.

When asked why the Chief Justice of Pakistan the army chief have to make clarifications, Marri admitted that several insitutions in the past have been resposible for harming democracy.

“All these things have taken in the country. Several institutions have involved in harming the democratic setup.”

“There have been allegations before, many based on fact. There is been increasing awareness now but still somewhere, we feel our independence is being compromised.”