The Upper House of Parliament on Friday made changes to the Rules of Procedure and Rules of Procedure of the Senate to curb “judicial interference” in parliamentary affairs, after rejecting a government request to adjourn proceedings.
A motion to amend Rule 166(5) was moved by senators from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
During the session, PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, conveyed to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar’s request that the motion not be taken up before discussion with him.
However, PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwala, who spearheaded the move and chaired the session, said “interference by the courts” in the House committee proceedings was the reason for the change. “We don’t want to delay it any further.”
Sanaullah questioned the urgency to which Mandviwala replied that the functioning of the committees was affected. He said the amendment, unanimously approved by the relevant standing committee, was in the interest of the Senate and its committees.
Mandviwala stressed that it was the wish of Parliament and said he had already discussed the matter with the Law Minister and Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP). Sanaullah insisted that the matter be adjourned to Monday, but Mandviwala did not budge.
Senator Abdul Qadir moved the motion which was passed by the House by a majority. Supporters of the amendment said the amendment will leave no legal room for the judiciary to interfere in parliamentary affairs.
Rule 166(5) barred petitions relating to matters subject to the cognizance of courts or tribunals. The latest amendment expands the definition of public petitions that can be taken up by Senate committees.
It says a public petition filed under Rule 277 may be presented on “any matter of public importance,” including complaints involving public interest, systemic concern, regulatory oversight or protection of rights.
