Uproar in Senate as PTI MPs demand acting chairman’s resignation

ISLAMABAD: The Senate session on Thursday was marked by noisy protests from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legislators, who demanded the resignation of Acting Chairman Syedaal Khan over allegations of biased conduct.

The proceedings, which lasted approximately one hour, were confined to the Question Hour. This agenda item could not be completed due to a lack of quorum—a persistent issue that has plagued the Senate’s 354th session since it began last week. The session began tumultuously, with PTI lawmaker Dr. Humayun Mohmand immediately rising to address the chair. He accused the Acting Chairman of being unworthy of conducting the House in an independent and unbiased manner and of failing to uphold the dignity of senators. “You do not have the capacity to run the House, as you told one of our members to shut up,” he charged. Dr. Mohmand further recalled that the Deputy Chairman, who had previously officiated in the same role, had also made inappropriate gestures, asserting that such behaviour could not be tolerated. Amid desk-thumping from his fellow party members, he demanded that the chair step down and allow a member from the treasury benches to preside over the sitting.

These remarks prompted a response from PMLN’s Khalil Tahir Sandhu. However, his attempts to speak were drowned in sustained and loud protests from opposition lawmakers. He was heard questioning why the acting chairman should resign, emphasising that he had been elected by the House. Senator Tahir also alleged that during the previous sitting, certain PTI members had used foul language in Pashto directed at the chair. Throughout the session, PTI lawmakers continued their protests.

During the Question Hour, treasury member Anusha Rahman stated that the Auditor General of Pakistan should have resigned or been sent home over a controversial report concerning Rs9 trillion, which turned out to be inaccurate. She argued that the report had caused a media frenzy and damaged the government’s name unnecessarily. She praised the Ministry of Finance for taking immediate action over what she termed an irresponsible move to publicise and upload such a report. Minister Bilal Azhar Kayani added that he had questioned AGP staff members, who confirmed that the Rs9 trillion figure represented an amount of revenue and expenditure that required further inquiry and that no misconduct was established. The minister said he would not defend the action, acknowledging that a misunderstanding had occurred, and suggested the matter be referred to the relevant House standing committee.

During this exchange, the opposition pointed out the lack of quorum. A count was made, confirming the House was incomplete. Bells were rung for five minutes, but the quorum was still not met, leaving the chair with no option but to adjourn the Senate until Friday at 11 a.m.