Senate seeks details of IMF conditions

Shibli Faraz says decision to put Aasia Bibi’s name on ECL to be taken by relevant ministry

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers in the upper house of the parliament on Friday demanded of the government to come clean about its economic policies and inform the Senate about the steps being taken to address the issue of inflation.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman while talking about the ‘precarious’ economic conditions, said inflation and price hike are a matter of concern for the citizens.

“The government should take immediate steps to address the issue of rising inflation as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan,” she said.

She said the house should be informed about the conditions on which the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – whose delegation is currently in Pakistan for talks – is going to offer a bailout package.

“The government should also give details of the visits made by the prime minister to China and Saudi Arabia,” she demanded.

Senator Lutfur Rehman sought explanation from the government for not placing Asia Bibi’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL).

Bibi was released on Wednesday, a week after a three-judge Supreme Court bench absolved her of blasphemy charges levelled against her in 2009.

Leader of the House Shibli Faraz clarified that Asia Bibi was not shifted to any other country – as reported in a section of the local and international media – and the decision to put her name on ECL would be taken by the relevant ministry.

Senator Hasil Bizenjo brought to the notice of the house the Thursday incident of unauthorised entry of unknown persons into the Karachi Press Club – a trespassing that was followed by a call for protest by journalists. The Senate chairman referred the matter to the relevant committee.

Senator Muhammad Akram said 25 million children were out of school and unequal distribution of wealth was undermining fabric of social life. “The nation is plagued with problems of law and order and economic deprivation,” he said.

In his remarks on a point of public importance, Senator Tahir Bizenjo said illegal fishing was being carried out at the coast of Balochistan and the nets banned by other countries were used in waters of Gwadar.



The Senate chairman also referred to a committee the matter of suspension of financial assistance to Balochistan students, who were studying in Burn Hall College.

Senator Rehman Malik felicitated the Senate chairman on holding of a meeting of Asian Parliamentary Assembly in Gwadar. He raised the issue of killing of citizens on the Line of Control (LoC) and said the government should take some action on the matter.



The chairman deferred the calling-attention notices of senators Usman Khan Kakar, Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel and Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi on the matters related to work on Quetta Airport and anti-encroachment campaign.

Senator Kabeer drew attention of the house towards lack of platform for addressing legitimate grievances and claims of the people affected by the government’s anti-encroachment campaign.

Chairman Sanjrani issued a show-cause notice to the secretary interior and the secretary Aviation Division due to their absence and directed that the order should also be conveyed to the Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Iqbal Day message

In a press release issued on Friday, Sanjrani said Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal's poetry is a major source of bringing renaissance in the minds and hearts of the Muslims of the sub-continent.

In his message on the Iqbal Day, he said the Poet of the East, through his astounding, penetrating and thought-provoking verses turned the tide in the subjugated Indian subcontinent.