Report Ahmed Shamsur Rehman/ANI
Islamabad: A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges was held today at Parliament House, Islamabad, under the Chairmanship of Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi.
Senators Sadia Abbasi, Jan Muhammad, Hafiz Abdul Karim, Dost Ali Jaiser, Asad Qasim and Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, Bushra Anjum Butt, and Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, attended the meeting. The Committee deferred consideration of the privilege motion moved by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan on December 24, 2025, against Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan due to his absence from the meeting. The Committee considered the Privilege Motion moved by Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto against Deputy Commissioner Kemari District, Karachi, Abdul Sattar Hakro, regarding his alleged failure to meet the Senator at the appointed time. The Deputy Commissioner acknowledged the lapse. Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto stated that his political office was barely two minutes away from the Deputy Commissioner’s office and that he had sought a meeting to discuss a matter of public interest. However, the Deputy Commissioner was unavailable. He further stated that his telephone calls remained unanswered for more than a month and that no explanation was provided for the failure to arrange the meeting. The Deputy Commissioner explained that his Personal Assistant was away for Umrah and had failed to convey the Senator’s call to him. The Committee Chairman observed that administrative officers should extend full cooperation to Members of Parliament and respond appropriately to their requests and queries. The DC also submitted a written apology before the Committee. The Chairman directed the Parliamentary Affairs Division to write to the Establishment Division for issuing appropriate instructions to DMG officers regarding cooperation with Members of Parliament. With the consent of Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto and approval of the Committee, the written apology submitted by the Deputy Commissioner Kemari was accepted and the matter was disposed of. The Committee also considered a privilege motion moved by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan against Director/Chief Clinical Coordinator, PIMS, Islamabad, Dr. Sharjeel Zaheer, regarding alleged derogatory remarks against a Member of Parliament. Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan stated that she had posted a message on social media concerning the deaths of 14 children at PIMS. According to her, a video relating to the incident was subsequently shared, following which an officer allegedly made mocking remarks. After hearing the matter, the Committee decided to summon the concerned officer at its next meeting for further clarification. The Committee also considered a privilege motion moved by Senator Hasna Bano against Deputy Commissioner Hub, Balochistan, Jamdad Khan Mandokhail, regarding alleged inappropriate behaviour and his refusal to sign a demand notice for an arms license without justification. The Chairman informed the Committee that the Member had conveyed that the matter with the concerned officer had been resolved. Accordingly, with the consent of the Member, it was decided to withdraw the privilege motion. The Committee then considered a privilege motion moved by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt against Vice Chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD), Ms. Hina Tayyaba Khalil, concerning her alleged failure or refusal to appear before a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training. Senator Bushra Anjum Butt stated that the contractual tenure of the incumbent Vice Chancellor had expired in December 2025, but she continued to perform her duties thereafter. She further stated that during a meeting in which the Vice Chancellor was personally present, she had asked her to leave the meeting as the agenda under discussion related to her. According to the Senator, Fashion designer, model, and television/film actor. Deepak Perwani supported the Vice Chancellor’s position, following which an exchange of harsh words took place and the Senator left the meeting. She further alleged that the Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training had been supporting the incumbent Vice Chancellor for several years. Representatives of PIFD also briefed the Committee on their position.
Senator Bushra Anjum Butt stated that it was her responsibility to protect the rights of individuals who approached her office seeking justice, assistance and fair treatment. The Committee Chairman expressed serious displeasure over the failure of PIFD’s Deepak Perwani and Ms. Sehar Saigal to attend the Committee meeting through video link despite being directed to do so. He termed their non-attendance as a matter of serious concern and stated that the concerned officials would be required to ensure their personal attendance at the next meeting. The Chairman expressed serious reservations regarding various matters at PIFD and stated that the Committee would soon apprise the President of Pakistan of the situation. A formal letter would also be written to the Secretary to the President in this regard.
The Chairman observed that PIFD is an important institution, but alleged nepotism and appointments and promotions based on personal preferences were adversely affecting its performance. He stated that all such matters would be examined in detail and that the Committee would take decisions strictly in accordance with merit. The Chairman further directed the concerned Ministry to place before the Committee at its next meeting all relevant documents pertaining to the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of PIFD and any subsequent extension granted to her contractual tenure.
The next meeting of the Committee will also be attended by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, the Minister for Federal Education, relevant officials of the Ministry and representatives of the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
