ISLAMABAD: Senators on Wednesday paid glowing tributes to the late Senator Irfan Siddiqui for his contributions as a parliamentarian, educationist, and author during a special session of the upper house. The session, however, saw low attendance from the opposition benches, as most Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers were absent.
The Senate unanimously passed a resolution to honour the late PML-N leader, who passed away on Monday after a brief illness. The resolution, presented by Leader of the House and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, recognised Siddiqui’s lifelong commitment to public service, education, and literature.
Read More: PML-N senator Irfan Siddiqui passes away, nation mourns loss
Senator Kamran Murtaza of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) lamented the absence of PTI members and condemned the defamatory social media campaign targeting the late senator, calling it deeply hurtful to his family.
Though most opposition members skipped the sitting, PTI senators Dost Mohammad and Falak Naz attended and paid respects, describing Irfan Siddiqui as a “fatherly figure.” However, some remarks by Dost Mohammad linking Siddiqui’s death to the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill were expunged from the record by Deputy Chairman Syeda Khan Nasr.
Read More: Family denies rumours about Senator Irfan Siddiqui’s health
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also addressed the house, informing members that the National Assembly had passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill with a two-thirds majority after incorporating clarifying amendments regarding judges’ seniority. The Senate is expected to take up the revised bill today (Thursday).
During the tribute speeches, senators from various parties described Irfan Siddiqui as a man of humility, dignity, and intellect who never resorted to harsh words even against political rivals. PPP’s Sherry Rehman said the Senate had lost “a dignified colleague and a friend of great decency.”