Reservations expressed over Sanjrani’s conduct

The united opposition in the Senate has decided to play a more dynamic role in the House – not allowing violation of rules, regulations and unabated use of discretionary powers.

In an over an hour-long meeting chaired by Opposition Leader in the Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Parliament House on Monday, the opposition senators made preparations for a memorandum regarding their reservations, which would be presented to the Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani.

According to them, the standing committees have been made ineffective and are not even allowed to form a subcommittee. It has become increasingly difficult to summon government officials.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, PPP Senator Taj Haider said, “The role of the chairman has paralysed the Senate.

“He is ensuring all possible convenience for the government and crushing the role of the opposition.”
PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui said that senators from all parties expressed serious reservations regarding the role of the Senate chairman.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui said, “If our concerns presented to the chairman are not addressed, the next step will be proposed.”

He said that as per the meeting’s decision, only the minister of state for parliamentary affairs would not be allowed to answer questions during the Question Hour.

Senator Haider said, “In my years of parliamentary life, I have not seen such a behaviour of a chairman belonging to any party. There is a Senate session one day then two days break, again a meeting, then again two days break, what a joke. The joke must stop now."

He said they were accountable to the people and to “our conscience”.

To a question, Senator Siddiqui said that just as the opposition parties were coming together on a common agenda by forgetting minor differences outside parliament, they “have also decided to play a more active role inside parliament”.

To another question on a no-confidence motion against the Senate chairman, Siddiqui said that the issue was not part of the meeting’s agenda. However, “the leadership may consider this option later”.