Senate proceedings were disrupted on Monday as PTI lawmakers protested against being barred from moving a resolution over the alleged non-compliance with a Supreme Court order regarding the medical treatment of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.
The disruption forced the deferment of several private members’ bills after PTI Senator Syed Ali Zafar sought permission to move a resolution concerning the alleged failure to shift the incarcerated PTI founder to a private hospital, as directed by the Supreme Court.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar opposed the move, saying the matter was sub judice because the PTI had already filed a contempt petition before the Supreme Court.
“The Supreme Court order has been implemented,” the minister said, arguing that since the matter was pending before the apex court, it could not be debated in the Senate.
Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan Nasar subsequently refused to allow Mr Zafar to move the resolution, saying the Senate Secretariat had not been notified in advance about it.
The decision sparked a protest from PTI lawmakers, who stood up and chanted slogans after the chair also refused to give the floor to Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
“The matter that is before the court cannot be discussed in the House,” the deputy chairman said, but PTI senators continued their protest before walking out of the chamber.
With most opposition members having left, PTI Senator Mashal Yousafzai pointed out that the House lacked quorum.
A headcount confirmed that the required number of senators was not present, prompting the chair to adjourn the sitting.
The protest effectively halted the Senate’s private members’ day agenda. The opposition accused the government of blocking debate on Imran Khan’s medical treatment, while the treasury benches maintained that parliament could not discuss a matter currently before the Supreme Court.
Several private members’ bills were consequently left pending, including a proposal seeking the issuance of blue passports to dependent children of former parliamentarians.
