Raza Rabbani. PHOTO: FILE
A day after expressing concern over the ‘disconnect’ in civil-military ties, Senate chairman on Wednesday turned down a request seeking discussion on statement of a former minister, who claimed that head of a premier intelligence agency had plotted to topple Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government during opposition parties’ marathon sit-ins in Islamabad last year.
Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani disallowed the adjournment motion moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Farhatullah Babar to discuss former minister for climate change Senator Mushahidullah Khan’s interview with BBC Urdu, quoting rules and precedents.
“The government and ISPR [Inter-Services Public Relations] have denied the statement while the minister said he was quoted out of context,” Rabbani said in his ruling. Rabbani also quoted a 1987 ruling given by the then chairman Ghulam Ishaq Khan disallowing adjournment motion on the basis of a statement made in the media.
Read: Senators concerned at ‘disconnect’ in civil-military ties
Babar had quoted Rules of Business in the Senate and The Practice and Procedure of Parliament by M N Kaul to substantiate his argument. Rabbani also quoted Kaul that an adjournment motion does not lie when the facts are in dispute. He said that Kaul also maintained that the chairman should accept the government’s version disputing the facts stated in the notice.
Babar had also said: “It is a matter of great public importance involving safety, security and interest of the country as a minister had alleged then ISI chief for destabilising his party’s government.”
Ruling on MQM resignations
In response to a point raised by the Leader of the Opposition Aitzaz Ahsan about a ruling on resignations of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) senators, Rabbani said he was working on the ruling and would announce it in a couple of days.
“I will announce the ruling as to why I have not accepted resignations of the MQM lawmakers from Senate to date,” Rabbani added.
Meanwhile, Senator Sherry Rehman of the PPP demanded that the government arrange a briefing about recently held meeting of Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border Security Force (BSF). “We do not know the state of drift we are in and the government should take the parliament into confidence,” she added.
Read: Judicial system: Rabbani seeks lawyers’ support
Rehman recalled in-camera sessions held during the past government over sensitive issues and asked as to what was the purpose of National Security Committee. “The Modi Sarkar has already made a policy to keep Pakistan under pressure and not to discuss anything else except terrorism and Mumbai attacks,” she added.
She demanded that the chairman refer the matter to a committee for a discussion.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2015.
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