PML-N, ANP senators spar over death of Gujranwala sanitary worker at Senate committee meeting

On Wednesday, the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights witnessed a heated exchange between PML-N Senator Abid Sher Ali and ANP chief Senator Aimal Wali Khan during their review of the death of a Gujranwala waste management worker. The committee was examining the circumstances surrounding the worker's death, which was reportedly a result of suicide after receiving only half of his salary and facing termination of his contract.

Tensions escalated when Khan pressed officials with probing questions, to which Ali objected, stating that the inquiry was akin to a police station. When another member suggested turning off the cameras, Ali defended his right to speak freely, asserting that both parties should maintain proper decorum.

The worker had been employed by Gujranwala Waste Management Company (GWMC) from 2024 to 2025, with his contract expiring on May 31, 2026. Officials informed the committee that the worker's alleged suicide occurred after his employment had ended. However, Khan alleged that the worker had been paid only half of his salary, driving him to take his own life.

GWMC CEO Abdul Razaque Ali Dogar refuted these claims, stating that bank records showed full salary payments had been made and that the worker had performance issues. The committee also questioned the hiring model, with Senator Quratulain Marri querying why GWMC was engaging a third party for cleaning staff instead of hiring workers directly. She pointed out that the Suthra Punjab Act had come into force in 2026, while the incident took place in 2025, raising questions about the legality of the hiring process.

Khan reiterated his concern, and Dogar responded by stating that compensation had been provided to the worker's widow and children, including the purchase of a plot with assistance from a chamber of commerce. Khan questioned the rationale behind awarding a plot to a deceased individual, suggesting he would also appreciate such assistance.

The ANP chief further dismissed officials' suggestion that the worker might have had personal problems. The committee directed Suthra Punjab to submit copies of relevant laws for 2025 and 2026 and inquired about any redressal mechanisms beyond financial compensation.

On July 1, another Suthra Punjab worker had set himself on fire in protest against non-payment of his full salary, succumbing to his injuries two days later after a CCTV camera recorded footage of the distressing incident. The contractor was alleged to have been illegally deducting a significant portion of workers' salaries. In July 17, the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights expressed concern over the worker's alleged suicide, seeking complete records, including contracts, salary registers, tax documents, and banking transactions, to investigate potential violations.