The budget discussion in the Senate on Wednesday saw heated exchanges between treasury and opposition members.
The session on Wednesday witnessed Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman severely criticising Prime Minister Imran Khan over his remarks about Islamic history.
The JUI-F senator took the floor to discuss the budget but instead launched a harsh attack against the PM. The treasury benches were angered over the ‘objectionable language’ used for the premier by Rehman and interrupted his speech while demanding of Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani to withdraw the microphone from the JUI-F leader.
It also resulted in a heated exchange between the groups and ended with Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani calling in security to intervene.
The treasury members also accused senators of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of ‘criminal silence’, adding that the two parties will be held accountable for their culpability.
Taking notice of the protest, the Senate chairman expunged the objectionable language used against the PM while instructing Rehman to give up the mic. However, the JUI-F leader disregarded the instructions.
PML-N’s Senator Mushahidullah Khan and PPP’s Maula Bakhsh Chandio maintained the government should have the courage to listen to the criticism of the opposition, while accusing the government of failing to back up its claims with corresponding action.
“The leader of the house should instead demand that [PM] Imran Khan desist from making statements on religion,” said Chandio. He added that the government must be able to withstand criticism from the opposition instead and realize its responsibility if it wants to maintain order in the house. “We must maintain the norms of democracy at all costs,” he said. In line with the demand of the opposition, the Senate chair returned the mic to Maulana Rehman, who once again launched a tirade against the premier.
This resulted in another confrontation, with PTI’s Noman Wazeer Khattak approaching the opposition benches. PPP’s Mian Raza Rabbani’s attempt to intervene resulted in a scuffle which had the makings of a brawl.
Security was summoned with a visibly angry Senator Rehman warning the government not to test their patience and warning it of serious consequences. In light of the rowdy atmosphere, the chairman adjourned the session until 4pm Thursday (today).
