Awards ‘favouritism’, ad without Quaid spark Senate outcry

ISLAMABAD: The government came under fire in the Senate on Friday over the release of an official ad on the Independence Day without the image of the country’s founder Quaid-e-Azam and allegedly ‘doling out’ civil awards on political basis.

However, the House was assured by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar that a probe will be conducted into the release of the official advertisement and the Senate will be formally informed about the findings. He remarked, “It is not in our notice. If it has happened, it is heart-afflicting for all.”

The advertisement, published in major national newspapers and aired on television channels, featured President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, as well as the chiefs of Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force, besides tanks and aircraft and a picture depicting Pakistan’s cultural diversity.

PTI’s Faisal Javed, recently re-elected to the Senate, raised the issue shortly after the House unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming Pakistan’s sovereignty, democratic values and commitment to a prosperous future.

The opposition senator criticised the government for using public funds for personal promotion, alleging that even minor projects were publicised with rulers’ photographs. He further accused the government of awarding civil honours on political grounds, undermining their prestige and insulting deserving recipients.

The law minister, himself a Nishan-e-Imtiaz recipient, defended the awards process, noting that only about 15 of the roughly 200 honoured were politicians. He said eight were part of a delegation, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari during heightened tensions with India, while the rest served in the “war cabinet” formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which took emergency decisions during the crisis.

The Senate marked the Independence Day by unanimously passing a resolution moved by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, pledging to pursue sustainable development, economic empowerment and national unity. The resolution honoured Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the armed forces, martyrs and Ghazis for their sacrifices, and paid tribute to parliamentarians who framed Pakistan’s Constitution and advanced democratic reforms.

It reaffirmed commitment to parliamentary democracy, constitutional supremacy and the rule of law, while vowing to promote peaceful co-existence, regional stability, and cooperation with neighbouring countries. The House also pledged to tackle challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, terrorism and public health crises. Citizens, especially youth, were urged to rise above political differences and contribute to nation-building through education, innovation and public service.

The Senate unanimously adopted another resolution, moved by PMLN’s Irfan Siddiqui, urging federal and provincial governments to mark the 1,500th Eid Miladun-Nabi with high-profile national programmes, Milad Mahafils, media campaigns, welfare initiatives and widespread illumination of public, semi-government and private buildings and highways.

The resolution called on public and private institutions, including schools, businesses, and media outlets, to promote the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) teachings of peace, harmony, and brotherhood. It reaffirmed the House’s commitment to promoting the Sunnah and Seerat of the Prophet (PBUH) and appealed to the nation to observe the sacred occasion with unity, reverence and solidarity.

Meanwhile, as the Virtual Assets Ordinance was laid before the House, ruling PMLN Senator Afnanullah Khan said the bill had been blocked when he tried to bring it to the House after hard-work of months. “Now they have copied and brought it to the House. This move comes in the ambit of plagiarism and cheating. The credit should be given to the one whose bill it was.”

Also, the government faced resistance in the Senate when Balochistan Awami Party Senator Manzoor Ahmad Kakar protested an attempt to pass the petroleum amendment bill without referring it to the relevant standing committee.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary told the Senate that mobile internet services across Balochistan have been suspended from August 6 to 31 due to security concerns.

Responding to a calling attention notice by JUIF’s Kamran Murtaza, he said the decision was made under a 2009 policy directive issued in light of Section 8 of the Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganisation Act, 1996, which permits telecom service closures for national security.

The minister explained that the Ministry of Interior acted on security agencies’ requests, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority implementing the suspension. He clarified that telephone services, transport, and airline operations remain functional, and assured that unused internet packages during the suspension will be carried forward to the next month.

Senator Murtaza, however, claimed both internet and cellular services were disrupted across all 36 districts, affecting students, freelancers, and online businesses, and warned the move was damaging the government’s reputation. The House will now reassemble on Monday afternoon.