PPP Senator Palwasha Khan Submits Privilege Motion Against Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan

Islamabad:Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Palwasha Khan has submitted a privilege motion against Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan following a heated exchange during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Communications.

Addressing a press conference alongside PPP leader Sehar Kamran, Senator Palwasha Khan criticized the conduct of the federal minister and urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to rein in what she described as “irresponsible ministers.” She said that as elected representatives, senators have the right to seek answers during committee meetings and vowed to raise the issue at every relevant forum.

Palwasha Khan stated that the dispute arose when she asked a question regarding a road constructed with taxpayers’ money, questioning whether it was meant for public use or for the benefit of a private housing society. She emphasized that ministers are accountable to Parliament and that the core issue was not the question itself, but the refusal to provide a proper answer.

Confirming that she has formally filed a privilege motion against Abdul Aleem Khan, the senator said the matter would now be taken up in the Senate, where a decision would ultimately be made by President Asif Ali Zardari in accordance with parliamentary procedure.

Referring to the incident, Palwasha Khan said that intimidation of women lawmakers was unacceptable and condemned the language used during the committee meeting. She reiterated that the behavior displayed during the session had crossed all limits of parliamentary decorum.

It is pertinent to note that a verbal altercation took place a few days ago during the Senate Standing Committee on Communications meeting between Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and Senator Palwasha Khan. The exchange escalated to the use of phrases such as “shut up” from both sides. Following intervention by Committee Chairman Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Abdul Aleem Khan offered a conditional apology to the senator.