The Senate on Monday asked Defence Minister Sikandar Iqbal to explain his Ministry's position on reports of sending PIA cabin crewmembers on forced leave for nursing beard.
Senate Deputy Chairman Jan M Jamali directed the minister to present his ministry's viewpoint on the 'sensitive' issue, which Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal raised on a point of order, and a ruling Pakistan Muslim League member Pari Gul Agha supported it.
Dr Khalid Soomro drew the attention of the House towards sending PIA crewmembers home on November 21 on three-month leave for growing beard, and warning them to shave it off, otherwise they would be sacked. "Only bearded pilots have been spared, that too because of their limited number. Who has ordered this and why?" the senator questioned, prompting a terse response from Federal Parliamentary Minister Sher Afgan.
He contended that if pilots had been asked to continue, there was no logic in targeting the crewmembers. "A bearded pilot can crash the plane to Twin Towers and not a crewmember," quipped the minister, inviting a noisy reaction from MMA senators. The issue of deteriorating health of noted nuclear scientist, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, was also raised, when Khurshid Ahmed read out a statement by Qadeer's family members.
He said that contrary to official stance that Dr Qadeer's was quite fine, his family members had rejected it and expressed concern over swelling on one of his legs and trouble in urinating, making it impossible for him to recite the Holy Quran. He repeated his demand that a Senate team, including the leader of the House and the opposition leader, should be allowed to visit the ailing scientist.
He alleged that the government was resorting to propaganda against Dr Khan. On this, Dr Niazi rejected reports about his poor health and said that after the operation, he was quite fine. He said that the government was equally worried about his health, and therefore had provided best available health facilities to him.
The chairman referred the increase of the blood count threshold level from 70 to 80 for promotion of 20-21 officers to the House Rules and Privileges Committee.
Hameedullah Jan Afridi, on a point of order, said that despite Dr Naizi's assurance on the floor of the House, threshold had been increased, resulting in further ignorance of officers from the smaller provinces, Fata and Fana.
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