JUI-F senator Kamran Murtaza. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
On Friday, senators sounded the alarm over the security situation in the country, with special reference to Balochistan.
Senator Kamran Murtaza expressed concern over the recent killings and questioned national priorities, contrasting the security situation in the province with festivities in Punjab.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry responded that terrorists sought to disrupt normal life in Pakistan and argued that allowing daily life and cultural activities to continue was itself a response to extremism. He said Punjabis loved Balochistan as much as their own province.
Maulana Abdul Wasey then called for unity between the Baloch and Pashtun communities in the province, while Senator Aimal Wali Khan condemned terrorism and demanded a joint sitting of Parliament to address the security situation.
Basant celebrations in Punjab also attracted pointed remarks. Rana Sanaullah said Basant was a festival that had been announced in advance, warning against presenting it as an uncontrolled “celebration”.
Senator Dinesh Kumar noted that Basant predated Islam and welcomed Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s statement on promoting the Punjabi language, presenting the festival as a cultural tradition rather than a political statement.
Talal reiterated that terrorism thrives on disruption and fear, adding that maintaining normalcy is part of resisting extremist aims.
The treatment and legal rights of imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan have once again been discussed in the Senate, with lawmakers pressuring the government to allow parliamentary access to the former prime minister at Adiala prison.
Raising the issue in the House, Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Leader of the Opposition, said Imran Khan was “a human being and a prisoner” who he said was being deprived of legal rights and adequate medical care.
He called for the formation of a four-member parliamentary delegation, with equal representation from the Treasury and the opposition, to obtain permission to meet him in detention.
Senator Azam Swati echoed the concern, saying there were serious problems related to the PTI founder’s health and alleging that the country’s justice system had collapsed.
Responding, Rana Sanaullah said Imran was being provided facilities as per law and stressed the need to take the discussion forward in a more constructive manner.
Later, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis submitted a written response detailing overseas employment in Balochistan over the last five years, stating that 29,813 people had gone abroad during this period.
According to official figures, 12,770 people traveled to Saudi Arabia, 8,141 to the United Arab Emirates, 3,806 to Qatar and 3,225 to Oman, while others traveled to Bahrain, Japan, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the United States and Italy.
During the session, the opposition benches were initially empty and the absence of opposition leader Raja Nasir Abbas was officially noted before his entry into the House.
