The Upper House of parliament on Wednesday slammed Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah for his “illegal and immoral” remarks against former federal law minister Babar Awan. Sanaullah said on Tuesday that Awan was liable to death. The senators unanimously called the statement illegal, immoral and uncivilised and demanded the Punjab government terminate him from cabinet and initiate legal proceedings against him.
The House adopted a joint resolution to condemn Sanaullah’s statement, warning that the Punjab law minister and the provincial government would be held responsible if anything happened to Awan. The senators feared that after the “decree” by Sanaullah, some third force could benefit from the situation to fulfil its unholy designs. Senator Kulsoom Parveen questioned who would be held responsible if any one else attacked Awan adding that Sanaullah should have talked sensibly. She called the statement illegal and un-parliamentary.
Senator Wali Muhammad Badeni said the statement was a warning to Awan and if the latter was harmed, the responsibility should fall upon the Punjab law minister. Senator Rehmatullah Kakar said Sanaullah would have no answer if anything bad happened to Awa and demanded the Supreme Court and the Lahore High Court take suo motu notice of the statement. Senator Haji Adeel said only courts were authorised to issue decrees and demanded Sanaullah’s termination.
Senator Tahir Mashhadi said the Punjab law minister should be held responsible for any harm that came Awan’s way. Leader of the House Nayyar Hussain Bokhari said the Punjab law minister fanned “lawlessness” when he declared Awan liable to death. He said the PML-N leadership should have taken notice of the statement, as it constitutes criminal offence. Senator Shahid Bugti condemned the statement severely and Senator Wasim Sajjad said Sanaullah had disgraced the senators and lawyers alike.
Leader of the Opposition Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri condemned the statement, calling it a moment of concern. He said the law minister had also been involved in promoting “lotacracy” in Punjab.
Senator Zahid Khan said the statement had proved Sanaullah had links with militant organisations and the matter should be referred to the committee concerned. Senator Abbas Khan also criticised Sanaullah for his irresponsible attitude. Senator Saeeda Iqbal said Sanaullah’s statement was enough to prove that he had links with militant organisations, while Senator Azam Swati also condemned the statement.
Senator Kazim Khan said Sanaullah had passed the remarks on the behest of some (militant) organisation. Senator Sanaullah Zehri also came hard on the Punjab law minister, demanding the Punjab government take strict action against him.
Senator Saleh Shah said Rana Sanaullah should be punished according to law and sharia. He also demanded his removal from the office of the law minister.
Senator Sabir Baloch called Sanaullah’s remarks a policy statement from PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and a threat to the PPP.
Senator Raza Rabbani also condemned the statement, saying political issues were being addressed under the “law of the jungle”. He warned that the state would crumble under such circumstances. Law Minister Moula Buksh Chandio endorsed the points of view of the senators and said the PML-N leadership should have taken the notice of the statement.
The joint opposition, except the JUI-F, continued boycott of the proceedings on Wednesday against the nomination of Haideri as leader of the opposition in the Senate.
Meanwhile, PPP Chief Whip in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah condemned Punjab Law Minister’s statement, saying the Punjab law minister and PML-N would be held responsible if Awan was harmed in any way.
“Such a statement is against democratic norms and we (parliamentarians) should avoid issuing such decrees,” he said. PML-N lawmaker Khawaja Saad Rafique said no one should issue such a decree and assured the House on behalf of his party that strong action would be taken against Rana Sanaullah.
