Senator Irfan Siddiqui on Friday lauded the opposition for supporting the government on national issues, terming their cooperation a positive step towards strengthening parliamentary democracy.
He specifically acknowledged the opposition's active role in the passage of resolutions related to the defence of Pakistan.
Senators voiced serious concerns during Friday's session of the Senate, criticising the manner in which parliamentary affairs, especially Question Hour, are being handled.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui remarked that the current state of the Upper House mirrors that of previous regimes. He criticised the decision to assign the responsibility of answering all questions to a single minister, calling it an inappropriate practice.
Commending the opposition, he appreciated their cooperation on national issues, particularly highlighting their support in the passage of resolutions related to Pakistan's defence.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla also voiced frustration, noting that all current legislation is being referred to committees. Reflecting on his six-year tenure working with past governments, Mandviwalla said, "We had warned them back then not to set such precedents."
He strongly criticised the handling of Question Hour in the Senate, calling it a "mockery" and insisting that it should not be postponed. “Rules regarding the postponement of Question Hour have not been followed,” he noted, adding, “Wrong practices in the House must be stopped.”
Senator Shibli Faraz responded to some of the criticism by pointing out that many of these practices also took place under the opposition’s tenure. “If that is the justification, then let’s pass a resolution allowing all such actions to continue,” he said sarcastically.
The session highlighted growing concerns across party lines over the erosion of parliamentary norms and accountability within the Upper House.
