In a recent Senate session in Islamabad, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Falak Naz was suspended for two days after using unparliamentary language against fellow lawmaker Faisal Vawda. The suspension, ordered by Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, followed a heated exchange during which Vawda accused opposition members of hypocrisy and demanded strict action against the use of abusive language.
This incident occurred amid a turbulent political climate, a day after police arrested several PTI lawmakers and leaders in midnight raids. These arrests followed a major rally by the PTI demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan, with law enforcement citing violations of a new law regulating public rallies as the reason for the detentions. The PTI claimed that nearly a dozen of its parliamentarians were detained in Islamabad, with some seeking refuge in parliament to avoid arrest.
During the Senate session, Vawda protested against Naz’s remarks, calling for more than just the expungement of her words from the record. He insisted on substantial action, leading to Gilani’s decision to suspend Naz after she refused to apologize. Vawda criticized the opposition for their hypocrisy and accused them of contributing to the murder of journalist Arshad Shair in Kenya for political gain.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq announced an investigation into the complaints, which could lead to legal action. He also ordered the return of detained lawmakers to parliament. The PTI’s opposition leader, Omar Ayub Khan, condemned the police actions outside parliament as “despicable,” asserting that the previous day’s protest had unsettled the government.
This episode underscores the growing tension and political strife in Pakistan, highlighting the contentious environment within its legislative bodies.
