PPP's MP submits privilege motion against minister

PPP Senator Palwasha Khan has submitted a privilege motion in a Senate committee against Communications Minister Aleem Khan over "highly unbecoming" conduct of a public officeholder.

Last week, a seemingly routine question about the performance of the communications ministry turned into a fiery debate during a Senate Standing Committee meeting, resulting in a verbal slugfest between Aleem and Palwasha.

The exchange, which quickly went viral on social media, unfolded when Senator Palwasha questioned the federal minister about the ministry's performance and a specific road project.

Aleem Khan reacted angrily to the question, accusing Senator Palwasha Khan of aligning with dishonest individuals.

During a news conference in the federal capital on Tuesday, Senator Palwasha, along with other party members, condemned the behaviour of the communications minister.

She stressed that it was not a personal matter, but a question of the collective dignity of parliament, and that silence on this would not be appropriate.

"If we tolerate and don't raise our voice against this, it will soon become the norm." She clarified that she did not blame anyone.

"I had submitted a written question a few months ago under the rights granted to lawmakers. However, the responsible officials never responded, which subsequently led to this question being added to the agenda of the Senate's Standing Committee."

Palwasha maintained that she raised a question over a road built by the National Highway Authority and funded by the taxpayers' money. "I asked whether it was built for public benefit or to give an advantage to a specific society."

"Raising questions on the utilisation of public resources is the fundamental duty of the legislators," she added. "Time will decide who was at fault and who was subjected to injustice," the senator said.