PML-N, PTI senators spat over ‘donkey’ remark

Sherry Rehman says Senate has the right to oversee election process

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s reported remarks that “those greeting Nawaz Sharif are donkeys” sparked a verbal duel between lawmakers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PTI in the Senate on Friday.

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s sister, Senator Saadia Abbasi said she takes strong exception to PTI chief’s remarks. She questioned if all the PML-N senators leaving for Lahore to welcome Sharif are donkeys as per Imran.

PTI Parliamentary leader Nauman Wazir remarked “corrupt support the corrupt”. He said by glorifying criminality this is what PML-N is teaching to younger generation in the country. Allegations and counter-allegations between both party members created rumpus in the House.

PTI lawmaker also criticised former president Asif Ali Zardari over his statement that the National Accountability Bureau cannot dare hold him accountable.

Leader of the opposition in the Senate Sherry Rehman criticised both PTI and PML-N. She said both parties are involved in a vilification campaign against each other.

She also sought an apology from the caretaker Information Minister Barrister Syed Ali Zafar for his remarks that Senate had no mandate to oversee election commission. She insisted that the Senate had the powers to oversee elections, election processes and the ECP, and asked the minister to take back his words.

Ex-Senate chairman Mian Raza Rabbani while referring to crackdown against PML-N said 500 activists of a party have been arrested overnight and 150 containers placed at different points. However, amidst those creating hurdles on roads security agencies failed to provide security to the masses, he lamented.

According to him hundreds of people belonging to banned outfits have been allowed to contest elections.

Referring to media reports of a meeting between intelligence chiefs of Pakistan, China, Russia and Iran reportedly held in Islamabad he said country’s foreign office claims it is oblivious of this development. He inquired where [does] interim government and civilian institutions stand if they are unaware about such an important event.

National Party chief Mir Hasil Bizenjo alleged that caretakers are part and parcel of an agenda to rig elections.

He said for this month’s elections one party has been given walkover denying level playing field to the rest.

Members from different parties also spoke on recent terrorist incidents and asked the interim government to take immediate measures in order to create peaceful environment for polls.