The committee met with Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq in the chair here at Parliament House on Thursday.
Inspector General Islamabad Police Aamir Zulfiqar Ahmed informed the committee that the Section 144 had been imposed, which made the situation critical. The committee was assured that police would be careful in future. The committee accepted the apology but took note of the fact that the Islamabad Police had earlier denied charges of baton-charge.
Senator Bahramand Tangi stressed the need for respecting the members of the Parliament.
Senator Ayesha said that as citizens of Pakistan, the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are respected; however, these must operate while remaining within the ambit of law. She added that it is imperative to ensure that breach of privilege of the members of Parliament does not ensue. The role of Federal Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Khan Swati was appreciated for resolving the issue.
The committee discussed in detail the Rules 135, 143, 167 and 280 while taking up the draft amendments proposed by Senator Quratulain Marri. The proposed amendment in Rule 135 was withdrawn by the senator to be moved on a further date after reviewing it with law experts. The proposed amendment in Rule 167 related to the house committee having eight members instead of six was approved. Insertion of the Rule 280 that pertains to a holding a post budget session to discuss the number and nature of Senate's budgetary recommendations accepted by the National Assembly was withdrawn, to be replaced by a new amendment requiring such a report to be placed before the Senate for information.
The meeting was attended by Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Senator Brigadier John Kenneth Williams (retd), Senator Walid Iqbal, Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi, Senator Quratulain Marri, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, senior officers of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Islamabad Police, and other relevant officials.