Govt plans parliamentary debate on Sialkot lynching

ISLAMABAD:

The government has decided to summon the Senate and National Assembly sessions to discuss the brutal lynching of Sri Lanka national Priyantha Kumara that occurred in Sialkot earlier this month.

The incumbent regime also plans to formulate legislation to bring an end to “horse trading” in the Senate.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan noted that on the advice of the premier, a debate will be held on the killing of Kumara in both houses of parliament.

The Senate session has been called on December 20 and the National Assembly sitting on December 22. Babar also held consultations with Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on the matter.

The 48-year-old, Priyantha, who was employed as an exports manager at a factory, was brutally murdered by a mob earlier this month, accusing him of committing blasphemy. Later, his body was set on fire.

Priyantha’s mortal remains were repatriated to Colombo with state honours. Sri Lanka High Commissioner Mohan Wijewickrama maintained that the Sialkot incident would not affect the relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Afterwards, a remembrance ceremony was held at the Prime Minister’s Office for the slain Sri Lankan where a certificate of appreciation was awarded to Malik Adnan, a colleague who tried to rescue Kumara from the mob, in recognition of his bravery to safeguard the victim while risking his own life.

Babar also noted that an approval for legislation will be sought from the cabinet to curb the practice of “buying and selling votes” in the Senate.

In March, while declaring that secrecy of the ballot was not absolute, the apex court had thrown the ball in the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) court, asking it to take all available measures -- including the use of latest technology -- to guard against corrupt practices during the upper house elections.

Through the reference filed in December 2020, the federal government had asked the apex court whether the Senate elections were held “under the Constitution” or under the Election Act 2017.

Babar said parliamentary affairs ministry and election commission were in contact with each other and that the legislation to curb malpractice in Senate polls would be framed in consultation with the ECP.

In a major shock to the united opposition, the ruling PTI-backed candidates in March grabbed the top slots of Senate in the “controversial contest” marred by discovery of “spy cameras” in the upper house of parliament.

Incumbent Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani was re-elected by defeating Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) hopeful Yousaf Raza Gilani. Ninety-eight senators exercised their right to vote, out of which seven votes were rejected. Sanjrani received 48 votes and Gilani 42.

Similarly, Mirza Mohammad Afridi, the government-backed candidate, won the post of Senate deputy chairman against PDM’s Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri. Afridi secured 54 votes against Haideri's 44.

The votes were rejected by the presiding officer, Syed Muzafar Hussain Shah, as the ballot papers were stamped on the candidate's name instead of the box next to it.

"These seven ballot papers are rejected," announced Shah. He added that one vote was rendered invalid as it was cast in favour of both the candidates.