The first regular session of the Senate following the recent election sparked heated debates and moments of unity as opposition and treasury benches clashed over various issues but also expressed willingness to collaborate in tackling the country’s economic challenges.
Kicking off the session, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani administered the oath to Faisal Vawda and Maulana Abdul Wasay, who had won seats in the April 2 election but were delayed in taking their oaths due to their absence in the initial session on April 7.
In a fiery address after taking oath, the newly appointed opposition leader, Shibli Faraz, raised concerns about the legitimacy of the current assemblies, demanding a thorough investigation into discrepancies in election forms and criticising the delay in holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Faraz lamented the alleged manipulation of election symbols and highlighted the incarceration of what he claimed were predominantly PTI members, calling for collective efforts to address national challenges while extending an olive branch to the government.
Responding to Faraz’s remarks, Leader of the House Ishaq Dar echoed the call for cooperation, emphasising the need to move past blame games and work together to navigate the country out of its difficulties. Dar also criticised the PTI for its alleged involvement in recent attacks, urging the party to uphold the rule of law.
Dar refuted accusations of election rigging and funding delays, asserting that the previous government had allocated sufficient funds for elections as per the budget.
Former caretaker prime minister and current senator Anwaarul Haq Kakar addressed concerns about election delays, citing constitutional requirements and the necessity of conducting a census.
In his maiden speech, Senator Faisal Vawda advocated for lawmakers, generals, and judges alike to submit affidavits regarding dual citizenship, emphasising parliamentary supremacy and the need for lawmakers to interpret laws.
Additionally, the government introduced three bills during the session: the Election (Amendment) Bill, 2024; the Motion Pictures (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and the Establishment of Special Court (Overseas Pakistanis Property) Bill, 2023. These bills were referred to relevant standing committees for further discussion.
Given the absence of the finance committee, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024 was referred to a special committee comprising Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Barrister Ali Zafar, and Farooq H. Naek, with a report expected on Monday.