ISLAMABAD: Opposition in the Senate on Friday said peace and economic stability could not be achieved without addressing the country’s political crisis, and demanded meetings with jailed political leaders.
However, the government made it clear in response to the opposition senators’ speeches that the law does not allow family meetings as they could be used for political purposes and that if there was any grievance, legal course could be adopted.
Taking the floor, Leader of Opposition Allama Raja Nasir Abbas alleged that the incumbent rulers don’t consider themselves accountable to the masses and noted that he had raised 12 questions, but not a single one was replied. “Until the political crisis is not addressed; can the government alone tackle economic issues while the financial problems of people continue to compound with no let-up in sight? Are we doing correctly what we are doing?” he wondered. He reiterated the demand for constitution of a House members committee to undertake visits of jails and report back. He wanted the Senate to become a role model by standing for the politicians rights, as so many, including Imran Khan, his family members and others are incarcerated.
Allama Nasir pleaded relief for those languishing in jails and argued that on the occasion of Eid, captives are often given 2-3 months relief in their sentence. “Denial of anyone’s rights is oppression and he who agrees to the oppression of the oppressor is also called an oppressor. We are hitting ourselves in the foot by locking political workers in jails,” he contended and said, “when we talk about negotiations, it seems like this has become our weakness, but this is not so,” he noted.
He put a question as to who is in power at this time and that does the jail superintendent have the courage to trample on court orders allowing meetings with Imran Khan. He emphasized that no mistake of the past can legalize today’s mistake. “Everyone should stand up against whoever has prevented us from visiting the prison. We should not become paralysed.” He urged the chair, Sherry Rehman, to give a ruling on visiting jails.
PTI Senator Azam Swati regretted that the party founder has lost one eye, adding that as a Pakistani citizen, he and his wife should be given basic human rights. “We need to unite at this time; inhumane treatment is not permissible in any way. Review your decisions, and try to improve the situation,” he underlined.
Senator Faisal Javed of the PTI also insisted on being allowed meetings with Imran Khan and expressed concern over the way he is taken to hospital. He asked why they don’t have access to Adiala Jail. He claimed that the ruling PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif was given a doctor according to his wish and was given the facility of treatment abroad as well.
Balochistan Awami Party’s Manzoor Ahmad Kakar contended that there are two laws in this country; there is a separate law for the rich and a separate law for the poor, there should be one law for everyone in the country. “We should work together for the stability of the country and the welfare of people, as today Pakistan is in trouble, but we are in a fight again, whereas there is a need for reforms in the police system too,” he argued. He urged reviewing the lockdown timings in view of difficulties of the business community and traders.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah emphasized that both Imran Khan and his spouse were being provided with the best medical treatment available in the country. As regards meetings, he pointed out that jail meetings are being regulated under court-approved procedures while a larger bench of the Islamabad High Court had devised a mechanism allowing meetings twice a week, with separate days for lawyers and family members. He reminded the senators that PTI leaders, including Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, had assured the court that meetings would not be used for political messaging or media campaigns. However, he noted that this was repeatedly violated through press conferences and international media campaigns. “Campaigns targeting the state institutions and their heads were carried out abroad. Evidence regarding such activities can be presented whenever required,” he explained.
A five-member medical board formed on the recommendation of the PTI’s own doctors, he pointed out, had endorsed the treatment being provided to their jailed leader. “Your lawyer Suleman Safdar met him (Imran) and that report was in accordance with the report of the jail superintendent.
About the party senators’ repeated demand, he said the Parliamentary Rules of Business did not provide room for a committee to interfere in executive matters related to prison administration. He said “action” which succeeds is called a revolution, whereas a failed attempt to bring about a revolution is treachery which entails consequences and that May 9 violent protests were an example of that. “The events of May 9 were attacks on national institutions and those responsible will have to face music. The repeated attempts to march on the capital and confront the state further complicated the political environment,” he noted.
JUI-Fazl Senator from Balochistan Kamran Murtaza remarked, “Three days off during a lockdown happens only in Pakistan. In no other country you get holidays like this; such extended breaks only happen in Pakistan.” He proposed extending the break to the remaining four days. “My suggestion is to declare the other four days holidays too. Anyway, we aren’t doing any work,” he emphasised. The JUIF legislator wondered what exactly were the government’s priorities…whether the focus was on improving the economy or just on giving holidays.
The Senate will now meet again on Monday afternoon.
