ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Communications on Friday witnessed an exchange of harsh words between the Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and Senator Palwasha Khan of Pakistan People Party (PPP) as a result the meeting was temporally adjourned.
The unfortunate situation erupted when Palwasha Khan questioned Aleem Khan over construction of roads connecting certain housing societies of Lahore. Aleem Khan responded sharply, telling her to “shut up,” prompting Palwasha to retort, “you shut up.” He further accused some members of being dishonest, which intensified the confrontation and disrupted the committee proceedings.
During the exchange, Palwasha Khan questioned the minister’s authority to speak in such a manner, to which Abdul Aleem Khan responded that respect must be mutual and accused committee members of resorting to personal attacks.
She maintained that asking questions did not amount to levelling allegations and questioned why the minister was taking her queries as a personal insult. She also asked whether mentioning a private housing society constituted a crime, stating that she had merely raised a legitimate question.
Other committee members, including Senator Pervez Rashid, attempted to mediate the situation. Despite these efforts, both lawmakers continued arguing until the committee chairman intervened. The chairman urged calm and requested Aleem Khan to apologize, which he did following the direction.
Palwasha Khan demanded a formal ruling against the minister’s behaviour, claiming she was unfairly insulted. She argued that raising questions on public matters should not be considered disrespectful. The clash highlighted ongoing friction between government ministers and opposition senators in parliamentary sessions.
Senator Palwasha Khan objected strongly to the minister’s conduct and asked the committee chairman to issue a ruling on what she described as the minister’s rude and inappropriate behaviour.
The federal minister, on the other hand, said he had been accused in the Senate of benefiting his own housing society and considered such questions a personal humiliation. He warned that he could bring the senator’s actions before the public if provoked further.
As tensions rose, Senator Pervaiz Rashid attempted to mediate and calm both sides, but his efforts failed to defuse the situation immediately.
Following the verbal altercation among committee members, the committee chairman intervened and urged them to exercise restraint.
On the chairman’s direction, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan later offered an apology, allowing the meeting to resume.
Meanwhile, the Secretary Communications also left his seat and approached Senator Palwasha Khan in an attempt to pacify her.
Senator Palwasha Khan demanded strict action against the minister over his conduct and reiterated her call for a formal ruling from the committee. Other committee members also intervened, urging calm and attempting to move the meeting forward.
Despite the tense exchange, the Senate Standing Committee on Communications continued its session, during which the federal minister proceeded with a briefing on ongoing and upcoming projects of the ministry.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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