JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza. PHOTO: EXPRESS/ARCHIVE
ISLAMABAD:
On Friday, the senators raised 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 the festivities in Punjab.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Talal Chaudhry responded that terrorists sought to disrupt normal life in Pakistan and argued that allowing daily life and cultural activity to continue was itself a response to extremism. He said Punjabis loved Balochistan no less than their own province.
Later, Maulana Abdul Wasey called for unity between the Baloch and Pashtun communities of the province, while Senator Aimal Wali Khan condemned terrorism and demanded a joint session of Parliament to address the security situation.
Basant celebrations in Punjab also generated scathing comments. Rana Sanaullah said Basant was a festival that had been announced in advance, warning against portraying it as a riotous “celebration”.
Senator Dinesh Kumar noted that Basant predates Islam and welcomed Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s statement on promoting the Punjabi language, framing the festival as a cultural tradition rather than a political statement.
Talal reiterated that terrorism thrives on disruption and fear, adding that maintaining normality was part of resisting extremist objectives.
The treatment and legal rights of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan have once again come under debate in the Senate, with lawmakers pressuring the government to allow parliamentary access to the former prime minister in Adiala jail.
Raising the issue in the House, Leader of Opposition Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said Imran Khan was “a human being and a prisoner” who, he argued, was being deprived of due legal rights and proper medical care.
He called for the formation of a four-member parliamentary delegation, with equal representation from the Treasury and the opposition, to be granted permission to meet him in custody.
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 in accordance with the law and emphasized the need to move the discussion forward in a more constructive manner.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistan submitted a written reply detailing overseas employment from Balochistan over the last five years, stating that 29,813 people had traveled abroad during this period.
According to official figures, 12,770 traveled to Saudi Arabia, 8,141 to the United Arab Emirates, 3,806 to Qatar and 3,225 to Oman, while others went to Bahrain, Japan, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the United States and Italy.
During the session, the opposition seats were initially empty and the absence of opposition leader Raja Nasir Abbas was formally noted before he entered the House.
