Senate panel flags bureaucratic defiance, alleged favouritism
ISLAMABAD: A Senate privilege panel on Monday exposed bureaucratic defiance, alleged favouritism and disregard for parliamentary oversight as senators confronted officials over ignored calls, alleged misconduct and controversial appointments. The Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, chaired by Senator Waqar Mehdi, considered several privilege motions, with some cases…
On Monday, a Senate privilege panel unveiled instances of bureaucratic defiance, alleged favoritism, and disregard for parliamentary oversight during its examination of several privilege motions. The panel, chaired by Senator Waqar Mehdi, considered claims of ignored calls, misconduct, and controversial appointments. Some cases were resolved with apologies, while others were forwarded for further scrutiny.
Senator Palwasha Khan's motion against Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, who was absent from the meeting, was deferred. Deputy Commissioner Keamari Abdul Sattar Hakro faced scrutiny for allegedly failing to meet Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, despite multiple attempts. Bhutto contended that his office was mere minutes away from Hakro's and that he sought their meeting to address a public-interest matter.
He alleged that his calls went unanswered for over a month. Hakro later submitted a written apology, accepted by Bhutto.
The panel also addressed a motion against PIMS Director/Chief Clinical Coordinator Dr Sharjeel Zaheer, who allegedly made disparaging remarks about a parliamentarian. Khan alleged that an officer mocked her after a video related to the incident circulated. The committee summoned the officer for further clarification at the upcoming meeting.
The most pressing controversy involved the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD), where Senator Bushra Anjum Butt accused Vice Chancellor Hina Tayyaba Khalil of not appearing before the Senate committee. Butt claimed that the vice chancellor's tenure ended in December 2025, but she continued in her role. She raised concerns over the ongoing search for a new vice chancellor, alleging potential nepotism and favoritism due to the incumbent's sister being among the candidates.
She also alleged political backing for the incumbent from the federal education minister. The committee requested documents to clarify the legal status of the vice chancellor's continued tenure and expressed serious reservations over these allegations. The chairman ordered the appearance of PIFD officials who did not attend via video link and directed the summoning of 13 individuals who endorsed the institution's response to the committee. The committee pledged to inform the President of Pakistan about the situation.
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