Pakistan Senate confronts law enforcement over arrested parliamentarians

Pakistan's Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani criticized law enforcement authorities on Saturday for ignoring his orders to produce a detained opposition lawmaker for parliamentary sessions.

Gilani issued a formal ruling condemning the repeated non-compliance with production orders for Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, a member of the opposition from former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

The Senate chairman referred the matter to the chamber's Privileges Committee, which examines breaches of parliamentary rights and can recommend disciplinary actions. Gilani noted that while production orders were issued for two detained opposition senators, only one was brought to the session.

"Senator Ijaz Chaudhry was once again not brought to Parliament House," Gilani said, adding that the non-implementation "violated the privilege of the House" and constituted "a clear violation of parliament and democratic values".

This wasn't the first instance of a production order being issued for the senator, imprisoned at Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail since the May 9, 2023 riots. In March last year, he was due to be produced in the Senate but was unable to attend the session. A similar situation arose in January 2025 when another production order was issued, with the pattern of non-compliance continuing.

Gilani also criticized the arrest of Senator Aon Abbas Buppi without prior notification to his office, calling it a breach of established protocols that require Senate leadership to be informed before any member's arrest.

Opposition Senator thanks Senate chairman

PTI Senator Aon Abbas Buppi, who was brought to the Senate on a production order, thanked the Senate chairman for issuing it and noted that "this action has enhanced the prestige of the Senate chairman's office."

He described the circumstances of his arrest to the House, stating, "I am being punished for my loyalty to Imran Khan." Buppi's reference to loyalty to Khan relates to the broader political context where numerous PTI members have been detained since the May 9, 2023 riots that followed Khan's arrest on corruption charges.

Senator Buppi became emotional during his address to the Senate. "My only fault is that I demanded the release of PTI political prisoners," he said tearfully.

He lamented that Senator Ijaz Chaudhry's production order was not being implemented, adding that his own order had been executed merely "to please [the Senate chairman]".

He pointed out that Senator Chaudhry was unwell and then presented an ultimatum: "You should either cancel my production order or ensure Ijaz Chaudhry is brought to the House." Following this statement, Senator Buppi walked out of the Senate session.

System 'losing credibility'

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Senator Kamran Murtaza confronted the chairman, saying, "You boycotted an earlier meeting due to the non-implementation of production orders, yet you failed to secure Senator Ijaz Chaudhry's presence in the House." This referenced Chairman Gilani's previous protest when he refused to chair a Senate session after authorities ignored his production orders.

Earlier, the chairman Senate skipped all but one meeting of the last or 345th session in reported protest to the non-implementation, on part of the government, of the production order of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Ejaz Chaudhary the Senate chief had issued ahead of this session.

Murtaza expressed concern that "the House and the system are losing their credibility," adding that "everyone knows the timeline of Privileges Committee decisions."

Senator Kamran Murtaza attending a Senate of Pakistan session on September 12, 2024. Kamran Murtaza / Facebook

"Your directive should be treated as a command," Murtaza emphasized, before lamenting, "Our institutional problems remain unresolved." He concluded with the pointed question: "If we cannot address our own procedural issues, when and how will we solve the problems of the people we represent?"

Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz also spoke on the occasion, stating, "A particular party has been targeted for the past two years," referring to increased state scrutiny against PTI supporters and leaders since Imran Khan was removed from power through a no-confidence vote in April 2022. The PTI has since claimed political victimization. He expressed concern that this persecution was now extending into parliamentary chambers, adding, "It is troubling that evidence of this targeting is now manifesting within the Houses as well."

Faraz commended the chairman for taking "a principled stand" on the matter. He concluded by acknowledging that while "our political differences will remain, the sanctity of the House must not be compromised."

Two-way street?

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) parliamentary leader Senator Sherry Rehman commended the Senate chairman for "not compromising on democratic principles." Rehman belongs to the same party as chairman Gilani, which is currently part of the coalition government. She expressed solidarity, stating, "We stand with you in the actions you took today." She acknowledged similar experiences within her own party, noting, "We have faced these same challenges, with production orders being ignored."

Rehman advocated for a more measured approach to resolving conflicts: "Challenges should be addressed without resorting to inflammatory language—through dialogue and mutual understanding instead." She recognized the opposition's position, saying, "Your leaders are detained, and you have every right to protest."

However, she drew a contrast with their past behavior: "When your party held power, they exhibited arrogance and relied on intimidation." During PTI's governance period from 2018-2022, opposition figures were also arrested.

"We refuse to replicate the tactics employed by your leadership," Rehman asserted, suggesting that the current situation might prompt reflection: "These difficult circumstances should inspire a reassessment of previous approaches." She concluded by expressing concern about Senator Buppi's treatment, stating, "We condemn what happened to Aon Abbas Buppi."

Past grievances

PPP Senator Irfan Siddiqui pledged support for institutional integrity, stating, "We stand with you in upholding the honor and dignity of the House." He emphasized that "your ruling represents the collective voice of this chamber" and called for both "Senators Aon Abbas Buppi and Ijaz Chaudhry to be brought to the House."

Siddiqui placed the current situation in a historical context, noting that "throughout our political history, leaders from all parties have faced imprisonment." He expressed a desire to move forward rather than dwell on past grievances: "We prefer not to revisit previous episodes."

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui addresses the Senate on October 17, 2024. Senate of Pakistan / Facebook

However, he reminded colleagues that "Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz have served time in detention" and were reportedly "confined to a black cell". These prominent leaders from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had been imprisoned during the PTI government, and similarly claimed political victimization. He concluded by affirming consensus on the immediate issue: "We have no disagreement regarding the implementation of production orders."

The session came to an abrupt end when Senator Umar Farooq pointed out the lack of quorum, resulting in the meeting's adjournment until Tuesday morning. Quorum issues frequently disrupt parliamentary proceedings in Pakistan and can be used tactically to delay controversial debates.