Members of the National Assembly and Senate on Thursday expressed concerns over the political and security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), alleged human rights violations and the need for electoral reforms and stronger parliamentary institutions.
National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai criticised the government for not taking parliament into confidence regarding recent diplomatic developments in Tehran.
Questioning the authority of a small group to make decisions affecting the entire country, Achakzai warned that such an approach could lead Pakistan towards “anarchy and civil war”.
He also opposed the suspension of trade with Afghanistan, describing the Afghan people as traditional friends of Pakistan and questioning the country’s previous policies towards its neighbouring state.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said parliamentary proceedings and the prevailing political situation in KP were creating a negative impression among the public. He also called for an end to hereditary politics in Pakistan.
Speaking on a point of order in the Senate, PTI parliamentary leader Barrister Syed Ali Zafar accused the government of weakening constitutional safeguards through the imposition of emergency measures and governor’s rule in KP.
He maintained that fundamental rights could not be suspended or compromised under any circumstances, regardless of the prevailing political situation.
“There is one thing that cannot be broken, suspended or compromised: the fundamental human rights of the people of Pakistan,” he said.
Zafar also raised concerns over the detention of Noreen Niazi, sister of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan. He claimed she had suffered a heart attack and was taken to hospital, but her family was not being permitted to meet her.
Responding to the allegations, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said Noreen Niazi had received medical treatment in Lahore and was in satisfactory condition.
Regarding concerns about family access, Sanaullah assured lawmakers that he would seek details of the matter and ensure it was addressed in accordance with the circumstances.
He defended her detention, alleging that she had attempted to create unrest by mobilising people for a protest march towards Islamabad.
Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas also criticised the government’s handling of the situation in KP, alleging that the province had been “snatched from the people”.
He questioned the imposition of emergency measures and governor’s rule, stressing that democratic institutions could not operate effectively without adherence to constitutional and legal principles.
Separately, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution urging coordinated national efforts to address the challenges arising from Pakistan’s rapidly increasing population.
Moved by PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman, the resolution called for a comprehensive national strategy to manage population growth and reduce its pressure on public services and socioeconomic development.
Rehman warned that Pakistan’s population could reach approximately 390 million by 2050 if the current growth rate continued, placing significant additional demands on the country’s resources and infrastructure.
