The Upper House of Parliament on Friday introduced changes to the Rules of Procedure and the conduct of affairs of the Senate to curb “judicial interference” in parliamentary affairs, after rejecting a Government request to postpone the matter.
Senators belonging to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) moved a motion to amend Rule 166(5).
During the session, PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah, special assistant to the prime minister on political affairs, conveyed Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar’s request that the motion should not be considered before discussing it with him.
However, PPP senator Saleem Mandviwala, who spearheaded the move and chaired the session, said “interference of courts” in the proceedings of House committees was the reason behind the change. “We don’t want to delay it any longer.”
Sanaullah questioned the urgency, to which Mandviwala replied that the functioning of the committees was being affected. He said the amendment, approved unanimously by the relevant standing committee, was in the interest of the Senate and its committees.
Mandviwala stressed that it was the wish of the House and said that he had already discussed the matter with the Law Minister and the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP). Sanaullah insisted that the matter be adjourned until Monday, but Mandviwala did not relent.
Senator Abdul Qadir presented the motion, which was approved by the House by a majority vote. Supporters of the amendment said the change will leave no legal room for the judiciary to interfere in parliamentary matters.
Rule 166 (5) prohibited petitions relating to matters within the jurisdiction of courts or tribunals. The latest amendment expands the definition of public petitions that can be accepted by Senate committees.
It states that a public petition filed under Rule 277 may be filed on “any matter of public importance,” including complaints involving public interest, systemic concern, regulatory oversight, or protection of rights.
