During a recent Senate session, opposition leaders strongly criticized the government for not including any opposition members in a special committee. This committee was formed to represent Pakistan’s stance on the recent conflict with India. The session was chaired by Deputy Chairman Senate Syedal Khan Nasir.
Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz said the whole nation stands united after India’s attack. But the government formed a committee without a single member from the opposition, including PTI. He called this decision narrow-minded and unfortunate. He also said that even India included Congress members in their committee.
Faraz said the opposition would now form its own committee. They will send their own representatives abroad at their own expense. He warned the government not to put these representatives on the Exit Control List (ECL). He urged the government to treat it as a national issue and use the name of PTI founder, who is well-known globally.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar responded by saying only government members are part of official delegations. He added that this is a tradition seen in past governments as well. However, he said the opposition had the right to disagree and that discussions with the Senate Chairman were ongoing. He also requested the government not to place opposition representatives on the ECL.
The session also saw a heated exchange between Senators Kamran Murtaza and Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar. It began after Murtaza raised concerns about the abduction of a Bar Council official in Balochistan. Kakar defended the security forces and the two argued. The Deputy Chairman had to step in and ask both to speak through the chair. Multiple amendment bills were also presented and sent to committees, with some facing criticism from the opposition for bad timing and intent.