Islamabad: – Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges convened under the Chairmanship of Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi to review the latest status of the report of the Functional Committee on Government Assurances concerning the missing file of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and to deliberate upon various privilege motions moved by honourable Senators.
The meeting was attended by Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim, Senator Rubina Khalid, Senator Jan Muhammad, and Senator Dost Ali Jeesar. Senator Shahadat Awan, Senator Kamran Murtaza, Senator Abdul Shakoor Khan, and Senator Bilal Ahmed Khan participated as movers of privilege motions, while Senator Bushra Anjum Butt joined the meeting via Zoom.
The Committee took up the matter regarding the missing file of House No. 622, Sector I-10/4, Islamabad, on a privilege motion moved by the Chairman of the Senate Functional Committee on Government Assurances. The Committee was informed that the case is sub judice. However, the Committee observed that CDA was not pursuing the matter in an amicable manner and appeared to be penalizing the fourth party currently in possession of the house, instead of proceeding against the actual culprit, i.e., the first owner. Expressing serious displeasure over the negligence exhibited by CDA, the Chairman directed the Authority to issue a provisional No Demand Certificate (NDC) to the current owner, subject to the final orders of the court. CDA was further directed to conclude the matter expeditiously and submit a compliance report to the Committee. The Chairman emphasized that the issue directly impacts the reputation of CDA.
Discussion on the privilege motion regarding the alleged misconduct of the Federal Minister for Communications was deferred at the request of the mover, who is currently not in Pakistan. The Committee also disposed of the privilege motion raised by Senator Umer Farooq following his request for its withdrawal.
The Committee further deliberated upon a privilege motion moved against the Vice Chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD) for failure to attend meetings of the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training. The Chairman observed that Standing Committees are an extension of Parliament and attendance at their meetings is obligatory. Further discussion on the matter was deferred, with directions to submit a detailed report explaining the absence of the Vice Chancellor, who was also instructed to ensure attendance at committee meetings in the future.
The Committee held a detailed discussion on a privilege motion moved by Senator Bilal Ahmed Khan regarding alleged misbehaviour by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cabin crew during a flight to Quetta. The Committee unanimously resolved that such conduct is wholly unacceptable, not only towards Parliamentarians but also towards the general public, emphasizing that passengers pay for respectful service. The Committee also noted with concern that PIA, in its preliminary inquiry, had declared the air hostess innocent without even calling the complainant for a statement.
Expressing strong displeasure over the threatening behaviour of the cabin crew, the Chairman questioned the conduct of the crew and directed PIA to immediately ground both the air hostess and the captain of the flight. He further directed that the concerned cabin crew, including the captain and air hostess, along with the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the Airport Security Force and the Station Manager of PIA, be ensured present before the Committee.
