JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Senators on Friday raised alarms over the security situation in the country with particular reference to Balochistan.
Senator Kamran Murtaza expressed concern over recent killings and questioned national priorities, contrasting the security situation in the province with festivities in Punjab.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry responded that terrorists sought to disrupt normal life in Pakistan and argued that allowing daily life and cultural activity to continue was itself a response to extremism. He said Punjabis loved Balochistan no less than their own province.
Maulana Abdul Wasey later called for unity between Baloch and Pashtun communities in the province, while Senator Aimal Wali Khan condemned terrorism and demanded a joint sitting of Parliament to address the security situation.
Basant celebrations in Punjab also drew pointed remarks. Rana Sanaullah said Basant was a festival that had been announced in advance, cautioning against portraying it as an unchecked “celebration”.
Senator Dinesh Kumar noted that Basant predated Islam and welcomed Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s statement on promoting the Punjabi language, framing the festival as a cultural tradition rather than a political statement.
Talal reiterated that terrorism thrived on disruption and fear, adding that maintaining normalcy was part of resisting extremist objectives.
The treatment and legal entitlements of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan once again came under discussion in the Senate, with lawmakers pressing the government to allow parliamentary access to the former prime minister at Adiala Jail.
Raising the issue on the floor of the House, Opposition Leader Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said Imran Khan was “a human being and a prisoner” who, he argued, was being deprived of due legal rights and adequate medical care.
He called for the formation of a four-member parliamentary delegation, with equal representation from the treasury and the opposition, to be granted permission to meet him in custody.
Senator Azam Swati echoed the concern, saying there were serious issues relating to the PTI founder’s health and alleging that the justice system in the country had collapsed.
Responding, Rana Sanaullah said Imran was being provided facilities in accordance with the law and stressed the need to move the discussion forward in a more constructive manner.
Later, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis submitted a written reply detailing overseas employment from Balochistan over the past five years, stating that 29,813 individuals had gone abroad during this period.
According to official figures, 12,770 travelled to Saudi Arabia, 8,141 to the UAE, 3,806 to Qatar and 3,225 to Oman, while others went to Bahrain, Japan, China, the UK, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the US and Italy.
During the session, opposition benches were initially empty and the absence of Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas was formally noted before he later entered the House.
