Rumpus in Senate over Tarin's possible arrest

Session abruptly adjourned after PTI lawmakers cross swords with govt minister

ISLAMABAD:

Rumpus reigned in the upper house of parliament on Monday before its session was adjourned abruptly as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers lodged a vociferous protest against the possible arrest of former finance minister Senator Shaukat Tarin.

Opposition Leader Dr Shahzad Waseem and Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan exchanged bars after the latter lashed out at the interior ministry for making a slew of mindless arrests and persecuting opponents.

"Every day we hear from the interior ministry announcing that it is going to arrest so-and-so,” the opposition leader, who belongs to PTI, said while speaking on the point of order.

“Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah is busy in the witch-hunt of PTI leaders and workers instead of concentrating on his primary duties of maintaining law and order in the country,” he said.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Monday booked the former finance minister in a sedition case pertaining to his alleged attempt to derail a deal with the International Monetary Fund.

In a notice issued to Tarin in September, the FIA said an inquiry had been initiated against his alleged role on the basis of the audio leak.

Referring to the interior minister’s nod to FIA to arrest Tarin on the house's floor on Monday, Dr Shahzad said the government was punishing critics who did not agree with its wrong-headed economic policies.

He also slammed the government for what he said was a “campaign against the judiciary” and urged it to announce the election schedule and stop intimidating opposition members of PTI.

“Does showing a mirror to the government over its economic policies leads to one’s arrest? Shaukat Tarin calls spade a spade and reveals the real economic conditions of the country which do not look good,” he added.

'Tarin conspired against country'

Replying to the leader of the opposition's allegations, Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan said Shaukat Tarin should be punished for “conspiring against the country”.

He said the inquiry against the former finance minister has been completed in a case pertaining to his alleged role in the derailment of the deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He stressed the FIA was independently conducting the inquiry against Shaukat Tarin without any duress. “Let’s have confidence in the law and constitution of Pakistan.”

The senate chairman adjourned to till Tuesday (today) morning after PTI lawmakers stood from their seats and lodged a noisy protest, lacing in the minister over his remarks against Shaukat Tarin.