PPP’s Palwasha Khan and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Syed Shibli Faraz exchanged hot words during Senate session on Friday as the PTI Senators protested the PPP leader’s chairing of the session in presence of Senate deputy chairman, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The protest by the Opposition members in the Senate led to adjournment of the session till Monday at 05:00 pm.

Soon after calling attentions business, Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan from panel of presiding officers assumed the chair as the chairman, requested leave from the House to witness oath-taking of his newly-elected son as member of National Assembly. However, Leader of the Opposition Syed Shibli Faraz along with other opposition members, started the protest and pointed out that in presence of the deputy chairman, the presiding officer cannot chair the session.

The presiding officer while quoting Rule 14 of the procedure and conduct in the Senate, observed that she could preside the House. She went on to say that it was the prerogative of the Senate chairman to nominate any member of the House as presiding officer.

Senator Farooq H Naek also observed that no rule was violated and it was the prerogative of the Senate chairman. He said that Palwasha Khan could preside over the session.

Maulana Attaur Rehman of JUI-F said that the chairman announced the panel of presiding officers for the session as per the rules, but any presiding officer could not chair the session in presence of the chairman and deputy chairman.

Gilani for formation of Senate standing committees

Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday directed that the issue regarding the formation of Senate standing committees would be resolved immediately to ensure the committees can play their roles effectively.

He was chairing the House Business Advisory Committee (HBAC) which discussed in detail the legislative business to be transacted during the 339th session of the Senate.

Moreover, the session will address other important issues. The HBAC decided that the current session would continue until June 21, 2024.

The meeting was attended by Senate Deputy Chairman Senator Syedal Khan, Leader of the Opposition Syed Shibli Faraz, Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Irfanul Haq Siddiqui, Senator Attaur Rehman, Senator Jan Muhammad, Senator Manzoor Ahmad Kakar, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Senator Hidayatullah Khan, Minister for Law and Justice Muhammad Azam Nazir Tarar and Secretary Senate Syed Hasnain Haider.

Reporter Usman Khan