Rabbani dismayed over senators’ exclusion from election-probe committee

Senate former chairman Raza Rabbani on Tuesday objected over the exclusion of senators from the proposed committee to probe allegations of rigging in July 25 elections.

Reminding that the demand to probe alleged election rigging was pioneered by Senate, Rabbani argued that it would have been more appropriate if a committee comprising members from both the Senate and the National Assembly would have been formed.

Earlier, the opposition in the Senate had demanded that the upper house of parliament also be given representation in the committee.

“The purpose of a parliamentary committee is to have representatives from both houses,” Rabbani said, adding that the committee formed was not a ‘parliamentary committee’ but a ‘house committee’.

“The first session of the National Assembly has shaken the unity and supremacy of parliament,” Rabbani regretted.

He also criticised the government for excluding senators based on the argument that the Senate had no stake in the general election.

Rabbani said that by saying so, the foreign minister had gone against the Constitution.

“Another black mark was also left on parliamentary tradition,” Rabbani added.

“The Senate will not be compelled to approve the recommendations made by this committee,” he warned.

The senator also criticised the delay in presidential elections, which he noted were held after the mandated 30 days.

He said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had violated the Constitution with this failure and a privilege motion should be moved against it.