The Senate session on Monday descended into chaos after Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senators staged a walkout, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members clashed with the acting chairman over quorum and microphone control.
Amid heated words, flood aid became the focal point of fiery speeches, and the proceedings were adjourned until Thursday at 5pm without completing the agenda.
PPP walks out of Senate session
The ruling coalition faced difficulty in conducting Senate proceedings after PPP senators walked out in protest. Even the acting chairman’s request for the opposition to listen to the law minister was rejected by the PPP.
Senator Sherry Rehman voiced her party’s strong reservations, declaring that 6.5 million people had been affected by floods and accusing the government of failing to respond adequately. "A disaster has struck the country, and Punjab and Sindh are locked in a war of words, harming the federation," she remarked.
Sherry Rehman’s hard-hitting speech
In her address, Sherry Rehman accused the government of neglecting flood-hit communities and criticized the Punjab government for withdrawing the security of PPP’s parliamentary leader. "The PPP has made every effort to remain united. We have never run a political alliance by humiliating people," she insisted, adding that apologising does not reduce one's self-esteem; instead, it enhances it.
She warned against playing the “provincial card,” stressing that no province is anyone’s fiefdom and that the country was already in serious trouble.
“The red line has been crossed. A finger has been raised on our leadership,” she said, adding that the PPP leadership felt “deeply hurt". "We don't want to break anything, but don't take us lightly."
Rehman also reminded the House that talks with the IMF were still ongoing, adding that there was no point in saying the country did not need aid.
PTI senators clash with acting chairman
The session saw an exchange of bitter words between Acting Chairman Senate Syedal Khan Nasir and PTI Senator Saifullah Abro when the latter pointed out the quorum.
Instead of ordering a count, the acting chairman adjourned the session. He scolded PTI members, saying, “You spoil the atmosphere of the House,” and reminded lawmakers that “there is nothing greater than respect and dignity.”
Nasir warned that abusive or unparliamentary language would not be tolerated, urging senators to give respect and earn it in return.
Ali Zafar slams govt over flood response
PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar launched a scathing attack on both the PPP and PML-N governments, accusing them of failing to save flood victims in the provinces they respectively ruled.
He alleged that:
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Flood relief had not reached affected communities in Punjab. Flood victims are not getting aid and relief, while boat operators demanded millions.
- Sindh government only saved people from drowning in books.
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Aid was pocketed by political actors instead of victims.
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Both parties were competing for press conferences, pictures, and political credit. There is a competition of taking pictures atop trucks and boats.
Zafar painted a grim picture, claiming 4,700 villages in Punjab remain affected and that families are still hungry, while the ruling parties were arguing among themselves. He slated the government’s handling of the floods and said he would like to hand over to them a “trophy over indifference, lies, incompetence, and greed".
"The PML-N and PPP are playing games with each other. The government and its coalition are responsible for the destruction caused by the flood," he alleged.
Govt response
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar attempted to cool tensions, apologizing if anyone’s sentiments had been hurt. He defended the government’s efforts, saying the president had played his constitutional role and that the prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif were “peacemakers".
Tarar promised to convince PPP senators to return and insisted that issues can only be solved through dialogue and understanding. He also remarked that just as the climate in cities has changed, so too has the political climate.
The minister and other government senators held talks with PPP and requested them to return to the House.
More drama: Protests and microphone dispute
The session further deteriorated when PTI lawmakers protested over Ali Zafar’s microphone being switched off. The law minister urged the House to proceed according to the agenda, which included discussion on flood relief. He said the PTI senator said things that were far from reality.
Syedal Khan rejected attempts to dictate terms, warning, “Don’t give me dictation, I will not take anyone’s dictation.” He offered to allow Ali Zafar to speak if PTI senators returned to their benches.
Ali Zafar, however, insisted that he had come fully prepared and would not “talk here and there.”
Session adjourned amid turmoil
The Securities and Exchange Commission Amendment Bill, presented by Anusha Rehman, was overshadowed by the uproar. With protests ongoing and quorum in question, the Senate session was adjourned until Thursday evening.
