Opposition benches stage walkout from Senate over minister’s absence

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Usually a calm and tranquil Senate, the upper house of Pakistan’s Parliament, witnessed an exchange of hot words between veteran Senator and former chairman Raza Rabbani and Leader of the House Senator Shibli Faraz on Tuesday.

Rabbani, speaking at the floor complained that the Ministry of Interior didn’t reply nine out of the 10 questions asked in the house.

Senator Faraz retorted Rabbani,”You want to sabotage proceedings of the house with routine daily protest without any reason.”

The opposition benches staged walkout from the Senate session protesting over the absence of the interior minister in the house.

Senator Azam Khan Swati said that it is the first instance in parliament’s history that despite the federal cabinet in session, several ministers are present in the house to answer questions about their departments.

Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani sent Senator Swati to the opposition members, who convinced them to end their boycott of the proceedings.

A noisy scene in the upper house also created on Monday when an opposition senator’s criticism to the government over hike in petroleum prices raised ruckus in the session.

Senator Javed Abbasi in his speech criticizing the government yesterday said that the government has dropped a petrol bomb over the people in the form of hike in petroleum prices. The government should explain why it has increased the prices to such an extent, he said.

The speech was responded with noisy protests from the treasury benches. “Senator Javed Abbasi always disturbs the house proceedings with his antics,” Senator Shibli Faraz said.

The opposition senators staged walkout from the house over the remarks of the PTI’s key senator.