Gilani not to preside over Senate in protest

Senate Chairman issued production order on January 13 for PTI's Ejaz Chaudhry who has been incarcerated for 18 months

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ISLAMABAD:

Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani has refused to chair meetings of the house until his order to present PTI's incarcerated lawmaker Ejaz Chaudhary is complied with.

Gillani on January 13 issued a production order for Chaudhry who has been incarcerated for 18 months, so that he could attend the Senate session scheduled for January 14.

However, the lawmaker was not presented in the house by Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail authorities in violation of the production order, sparking a protest by PTI senators.

Speaking in the house, the law minister, Azam Nazeer Tarar, had later suggested that the matter should be taken up in the House Advisory Committee and the negotiation committee.

According to sources, the Senate chairman has now decided not to chair the house in protest against non-compliance with his order.

Express News reported that Gillani was present in his chamber in the Parliament House on Friday but he did not chair the house proceedings and the deputy chairman presided over the house.

Sources said Gillani, who belongs to the PPP, has made it clear that he will return to the house only when his orders are implemented and Senator Ejaz Chaudhary is presented in the house.