ISLAMABAD: The Senate session on Monday was marred by a strong protest from the treasury benches over the comments issued by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) lawmaker Maulana Ataur Rehman in his speech over Shehbaz Sharif’s arrest after which the opposition boycotted the proceedings.
On October 5, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had arrested Leader of the Opposition and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif in Ashiana Housing corruption scandal. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president was then handed over to the anti-graft body’s custody for 10 days for further interrogation amid angry protest by the party workers outside the court premises.
The JUI-F senator, during the Monday’s session of the upper house, said that the arrest of National Assembly’s opposition leader on the behest of the federal government compromised the sanctity of the house.
“The premier doesn’t understand where the country is heading,” he said.
The ministers and members of the treasury benches protested over the remarks. Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani demanded an apology from the opposition member.
State Minister Ali Muhammad Khan said that the issued remarks were intolerable. Senator Azam Swati said that Maulana Ata disturbed the decorum of the house. Meanwhile, the JUI-F leader refused to apologise for his remarks.
“When we say anything, they object to it on the pretext of disturbing the sanctity of the house but what about the sanctity of the country,” he said.
The opposition boycotted the session during the speech of Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.
“PM Imran Khan did not name anyone in his speech. He said that he won’t spare any looter and dacoit. I wonder why the opposition is scared of the remarks,” he said.
