The combined opposition on Monday staged token walkout from Senate, protesting against government for not allowing exiled former Premier Nawaz Sharif and his family to attend the funeral of late Mian Sharif, in Pakistan. Before they walked out, the opposition lawmakers chanted slogans against the government's refusal and thumped desks.
The opposition legislators also grilled the government for handing over Mian Sharif's body to family at Jati Umra, Raiwand, instead of at Data Darbar Mosque in Lahore, where the Namaz-e Janaza was scheduled.
Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmed raised the issue on a point of order at the outset of the sitting. He accused the government of handling the matter on political grounds.
Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, on the contrary, defended the government, saying the authorities did not bar Nawaz Sharif and his brothers from returning home for the last rites of their father. Instead, the minister claimed, the brothers themselves refused to accompany the body of their father, thus making the matter a political issue to win the sympathies of people.
AMIR LIAQAT CRITICISED: The opposition senators raised several objections against Minister of State Amir Liaquat Hussain's alleged remarks against Islam in a state-run Pakistan Television programme.
MMA lawmaker Ismail Buledi said the remarks of the minister about Islam in a PTV programme 'Marhaba Ramazan', aired some days ago, had hurt the feelings of the Muslims, and he asked the government to take stern action against Amir Liaquat.
Minister of State for Information, Anisa Zeb assured the House that the government would investigate the matter. The action would be taken, if any such thing found, she added.
Referring to robbing of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan and former Religious Affairs Minister Mehmood Ahmed Ghazi, the opposition also grilled the government for its failure in maintaining law and order.