Saleem Mandviwalla Heads Finance, Quratul Ain Chair of Senate Planning Committee; PTI Boycotts
Islamabad (Our Correspondent): The Senate Standing Committee on Finance has elected Senator Saleem Mandviwalla as its Chairman, at the same time because the Senate Planning Committee has elected Senator Quratul Ain Marri as its Chairperson. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had secured both committee leaderships. While the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) boycotted the elections in protest.
Finance Committee Leadership
In the Finance Committee meeting, government members elected Senator Saleem Mandviwalla as Chairman. PTI members Senator Shibli Faraz and Senator Mohsin Aziz boycotted the voting against Saleem Mandviwalla. Mandviwalla remarked that this was not the first time the Finance Committee had held an election. And he had previously requested PTI participate in the voting process.
Senator Shibli Faraz voiced his objections, noting that the Finance Committee has historically been under the opposition’s control. They were conducting the first-time voting for the committee’s chairmanship. Faraz suggested that voting was necessary for the Finance Committee. It should be performed for all committees. He questioned how the committee could hold the government accountable if a government-aligned member led it. Faraz further argued that if the PPP considered itself part of the opposition, it should align with PTI.
Planning Committee Leadership
The Planning Committee’s meeting, chaired by the committee secretary, saw Senator Quratul Ain Marri elected Chairperson. Senator Shahadat Awan nominated Marri, and Senator Jam Saifullah Khan supported the nomination. PTI Senator Zeeshan Khanzada objected to the election procedure and boycotted the meeting.
After he was elected Chairman of the Finance Committee. Saleem Mandviwalla commented on the procedural fairness of the elections, reiterating that PTI had been invited to participate. However, PTI members continued to express their dissatisfaction with the process.
PTI’s Stance and Reaction
Senator Faisal Vawda emphasized that Mandviwalla had broad support and warned that if PTI demonstrated its strength, it would do so with even greater force. In a press conference, Senator Shibli Faraz also criticized the need for more consultation with PTI to elect the committee chairs. Faraz argued that he convened the meetings with ill intentions, further underscoring the friction between PTI and the current committee leadership.
The developments in the Senate committees underscore the ongoing tensions and political maneuvering within Pakistan’s legislative framework. The PTI’s boycott and the subsequent election of PPP members to key committee positions reflect the deepening divides and the contentious nature of parliamentary proceedings.
