Unruly scenes, once again, played out in the Senate on Wednesday after the information minister and the PML-N parliamentary leader in the house exchanged barbs, bringing the proceedings of the house to a standstill. Information Minister Fawad Chaudry and Senator Mushahidullah Khan kept accusing each other with the former sticking to his guns that the latter used national flag carrier by appointing his siblings at coveted slots, while Senator Khan pressed the minister must prove the allegations.
At one point Khan challenged Fawad to quit if he fails to prove the allegations against him or he would step down if the allegations are proved to be true. He said that he never influenced his party government to give lucrative postings to his siblings at PIA rather they were promoted on merit.
After the information minister refused to show some flexibility to clam down the situation, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani warned him that he would be left with no option but to send him out of the House. For about half an hour, Chaudhry and Senator Khan made the House hostage by shouting at each other.
On repeated requests of the chair, Chaudhry finally apologized for using 'derogatory language' in the House. But he plainly refused to apologize for what he had said against MNA Khurshid Shah and Senator Khan.
"My point of view is that these people played havoc with state institutions. He [Khan] got his brothers and other relatives inducted on lucrative posts in PIA, which is now facing a loss of Rs 360 billion, while Pakistan Steel Mills is facing Rs 200 billion loss. Khurshid Shah, who headed a cabinet committee, regularized 163,000 persons in one-go," Chaudhry contended.
He then started reading out names of what he believed were Mushahidullah's brothers and relatives while Senator Khan kept denying and said one of his brothers is currently working at PIA, and this is the reason he is being attacked. He conceded that his brothers, being named, by Fawad had already retired.
Leader of the House in Senate Shibli Faraz, Raza Rabbani, Mir Kabir Shahi and some other senators tried to normalize the situation. Rabbani was seen patting Senator Khan, but he kept repeating that the minister must prove his allegations.
Later, the duo was taken to opposition leader's chamber by Shibili Faraz, Sheryar Afridi, Ali Muhammad Khan and other ministers along with some opposition lawmakers and they succeeded to patch up between them.
Earlier, noisy scenes returned to the Senate towards the end of the question hour when Chaudhry rose from his seat to reply to a question by a PML-N Senator Kalsoom Parveen. He was interrupted by Senator Khan who reminded the chair that the minister should first apologize over the allegations made against him.
The PML-N legislator insisted that the minister should be allowed to speak only after he extends an apology to him. This prompted Chaudhry to retaliate in the same tone, saying he had already referred the matter for investigation and Khan should wait for the outcome.
The chair contended that Fawad had already apologized. However, Khan insisted that the minister had again accused him of giving jobs to his siblings and other family members in PIA. He denied having got inducted female members of his family in the airlines but said one of his cousins was part of PIA.
"He is a liar, a fraudster and working for a foreign agency," Khan retorted while pointing towards Chaudhry who was equally angry, saying he stood by whatever he has said against the opposition lawmakers. "Then let the inquiry end before you come to Parliament...if proved that six members of my family are part of PIA, I'll quit as member Senate or if you fail, you must call it a day," said Khan.
Senator Raza Rabbani regretted that he had been in Senate for the last 26 years, but never witnessed such an environment even once, adding in such a situation, the proceedings of the house should be suspended.
Rabbani insisted that Senate chairman's ruling could not be challenged whether it is right or wrong, adding, "We must ensure dignity and prestige of the House as well as abide by the rules and rulings of the chair."
Leader of the House Shibli Faraz said that the government benches showed enough restrain despite offensive remarks by opposition members due to which the House became hostage to a minister and an opposition MP.
Earlier, during question hour, State Minister for Interior Shehryar Afridi informed the House that no complaint was made to the ministry from any department to extradite ex-prime minister Shaukat Aziz. He was responding to a question by Chaudhry Tanvir Khan of PML-N.
To another query by Senator Mushtaq Ahmad of JI whether there is any plan to seek extradition of former President General Pervez Musharraf, whose red warrants have been issued, Afridi said that deliberations are currently underway to seek extradition of all those who had looted the national wealth. "Whosoever, committed crimes, abused the Constitution will face action and the government would take measures accordingly," he maintained.
Afridi told the House that Pakistan had to face embarrassment in comity of nations mainly due to rampant human smuggling and pointed out that there was no patrolling at all on 32 percent border in south and there is no mechanism to check the cross-border movement.
He added the entire matter is being looked into to put in place a proper mechanism to stem the menace of smuggling. He hinted at taking action against such mafias, sitting even in Islamabad, to make them an example for others.
Responding to a question, State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said that border fencing would greatly help in controlling flow of drugs smuggling from Afghanistan.
"We all know that drug smugglers are seen sitting next to us and one wonders how the state institutions particularly Election Commission of Pakistan let such people contest elections and even reach assemblies," he added.
He said that last survey on number of addicted persons in Pakistan was conducted in 2012 and published next year, which found that approximately 6 percent of the population or 6.7 million people were using illicit drugs including misuse of prescription drugs.
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