ISLAMABAD, December 19: President Dr. Arif Alvi says parliament is backbone for a strong and vibrant Pakistan and voice of the common man. He expressed these views while talking to the delegation/participants of 6th National Parliamentary Development Course, which called on him in Islamabad on Thursday. The President emphasized that our founding fathers envisioned Pakistan to be a democratic country and highlighted that the constitution of Pakistan defines the role and functions of the President, Senate, National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies. He appreciated the role of the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in imparting quality training to the participants. The President also urged the participants to utilize the training to assist the Parliamentarians in discharging their work in a befitting manner and wished them best of luck with their course and for their future endeavours.-NNI