AYUB HALL: Mr Ghulam Faruque, Minister for Commerce, announced in the National Assembly today [July 3] that af ter pursuing about `45 years of worldly life` he has voluntarily decided to go for a life of obscurity and retirement.

Winding up the debate on the Insurance Corporation Bill, he disclosed that the President had been gracious enough to accept his resignation which he had tendered `purely on personal grounds`.

Expressing his inability to continue as a Minister he said the President entrusted him with the activities of Government for which his `spirit may be worthy but unfortunately the flesh was too weak to discharge those responsibilities`.

He thanked the Speaker and both the Deputy Speakers for their courtesy they showed to him during his period of association with the Assembly.

He said he was grateful to all the members of the Opposition who during the period of more than two years showed the greatest courtesy to him. Mr Faruque said he had the co-operation of the entire House and was leaving them with good memories.

He prayed to God that the Assembly may grow from day to day and continue to be the greatest custodian of the country`s interest. He said he will try to keep himself in contact with the Assembly as much as possible during the period of his retirement.

After the announcement of his resignation, the Leader of the House Khan A. Sabur, Deputy Leader of Opposition Shah Azizur Rehman and the Senior Deputy Speaker in chair Chaudhry Fazal Ilahi, on behalf of all the sections of the House, lauded the services of Mr Faruque. Mr Sabur said `we will be deprived` of the able guidance of a seasoned administrator and a colleague.

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shah Azizur Rehman on behalf of his united Parliamentary party praised his sweet manners and hoped that he will continue to exert his influence on the policies of the country even after his retirement. Agencies