Alleged dues of Rs 2.7 million against Mushahidullah; Senate body seeks report about stay procedure in Punjab House

Senate Standing Committee on Rules and Procedure and Privileges discussed allegation of outstanding dues of Rs 2.7 million against Senator Mushahidullah on account of his stay in Punjab House, and sought a report of procedure of booking of a room and relevant bylaws from the Punjab government.

The committee met with Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq in the chair at the Parliament House on Monday.

The committee discussed the various privilege motions of the members.

While discussing the privilege motion moved by Senator Mushahidullah Khan regarding the allegation of dues against him, Mushahidullah said, "It is a surprise for me. Without any investigation, I was accused during a press conference that I was staying in the Punjab House and did not pay. As a senator, the former deputy chairman allotted me a room as accommodation as it was not available for me in the Parliament Lodges. I moved to the Minister's Enclave from the room after becoming minister."

He said that he was not given any notice during four years of his stay, and then during a press conference I was not charged.

Mushahidullah said that he never made any request for an allotment of the room.

At this, the committee was informed that the audit of the Punjab House had taken place and various recoveries had come to the register.

Chairperson Committee Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq said that from 2015 to 2018 no notice of recovery was given on the accommodation.

She said that there should be inquiry for not sending any notice.

She said that there was no any system of check in and check out at the Punjab House in Islamabad.

Senator Mian Raza Rabbani said that a questionnaire should be submitted to the Senate Secretariat and the Punjab House, and a letter should be written to the speaker Punjab Assembly in this regard.

Committee Chairperson Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq said that a report of booking procedure and bylaws should be provided to the committee within a week and the members should be provided answers to the committee's questions.

Senator Walid Iqbal said that other people were living illegally in the Parliament Lodges besides the members of the parliament. He said that there was a need to take action against them.

The committee also discussed the privilege motion moved by Senator Mushahidullah Khan against the ambassadors and other concerned officers posted in Pakistani missions at Doha and Paris.

Senator Mushahidullah Khan said that during his stay in Doha on 16-17 January 2019, no staff stationed in the mission came for guidance, which was not done before.

He said that trade and other important issues were discussed in the conference, but no senior staff including ambassador, commercial attaché from the Pakistani Embassy attended the conference nor was he given any briefing.

He said that the foreign minister had apologized and assured that soon the SOPs would be prepared and handed over to the committee in this regard.

The committee chairperson said that senior parliamentarians were representing Pakistan and foreign missions should cooperate and help them.

She said that the SOPs should be provided to the committee as soon as possible.

The secretary Foreign Affairs told the committee that efforts were being made to provide full support to the parliamentarians even if there was a private visit.

He said that in France, the ambassador was on leave and he could not attend the conference.

Senator Mushahidullah said none of the remaining four officers were present in the conference.

Senator Mian Raza Rabbani said that it was often observed that the attitude of the staff of Pakistani embassies in foreign countries was not good towards parliamentarians as well as Pakistanis living there.

He said that the SOPs should be provided till the next meeting and also inquired why the senior officers did not cooperate with Senator Mushahidullah.

The committee chairperson said that all embassies should prepare SOPs within a week and submit report to the committee.

The committee also discussed the issues regarding the payment to the land owners whose land was acquired for construction of road from Kaghan to Babusar Top on December 21, 2019.