Senate: Opposition leader condemns ‘arrests’ ahead of Feb 8 protest

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in Senate Raja Nasir Abbas has suggested that two lawmakers each from the treasury and the opposition benches in the Upper House of the Parliament be designated to hold a meeting with the PTI founder, while condemning what he has described as the highhanded methods of the state to pick Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers from their homes ahead of the 8 February protest.

“We said 8th February would be observed as a ‘black day’ —people will stay in their homes— we did not say we would forcefully ensure the protest. We did not say we would block the traffic; still people are being picked from their homes,” he said, speaking at the Senate session on Friday.

Peoples’ basic rights are being violated with blatant impunity— the rulers need to protect the rights of the people, he said asking does a government that fails to give rights to the people hold any kind of legitimacy.

The opposition leader said PTI founder is a respectable citizen of Pakistan, whose rights, he said, are being violated.

“Do the jail inmates have no rights? First they (government) said Imran Khan has no health issue –then they brought him to the PIMS (Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences),” the senator said. Khan’s condition necessitates the urgency that he should be allowed meetings with his private doctors, lawyers, family members and chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Abbas said.

In addition, he proposed that two members each from the treasury and the opposition benches be designated to hold meetings with Khan and his doctors.

The opposition leader urged the chair to issue an order in this regard.

However, Shahadat Awan, who was presiding over the Senate session, did not entertain the opposition leader’s request.

Responding to the opposition leader, Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Rana Sanaullah accused the PTI of 9th May and 26th November violence. “Does this political party have any record of holding peaceful protests,” he asked.

The adviser said PTI’s petition seeking permission to be allowed meetings with Khan remained pending in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). In this context, the adviser said, the PTI did not honour the assurances given to the IHC. “You violated the law due to which a ban has been imposed— you should go back to court. Why don’t you file a petition of contempt of court,” he questioned from the opposition.

The senator said the wheel jam strike is an act of violence itself. “How can a wheel jam strike be held peacefully,” the lawmaker asked.

Meanwhile, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support for the struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination.

The resolution was moved by Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam in connection with the Kashmir Solidarity Day.

The Senate session was adjourned till Monday.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026