Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani stops working, offers to resign

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani stopped working and refused to conduct proceedings of the Upper House and later offered to resign in protest against constant absence of ministers from the House, ARY News reported.

The chairman Senate adjourned the session after he found an incomplete quorum for yet another time. “We have failed to protect sanctity of the House,” said Rabbani in interaction with journalists after the session.

Rabbani said he was ready to resign if the government had any issue with him. He lamented that none of ministers attended the House proceedings since the day the current Senate start operating.

He expressed obstacles in running the House, saying continous absence of ministers was compromising the prestige and dignity of the Upper House of the Parliament.

Rabbani said no government file should be brought to his table, adding he was no more the chairman of the House.

Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Shahi Syed supported the measure taken by Rabbani and said it was the need of the hour to highlight ignorance of some legislators towards the House.

Leader of the House in Senate Raja Zafarul Haq also attempted to defuse the situation, but in vain.  MQM Senator Tahir Mashhadi opined that it seemed that the issue was beyond the control of Leader of the House and ministers.

Earlier, opposition members staged walkout against absence of ministers to answer the questions tabled by the oppositions lawmakers.

Speaking to ARY News, Senator Hafiz Hmadullah said the parliamentarians attitude look to be that of traders consortium.

He said the chairman Senate took the right step and “we stand by Mr. Rabbani on his democratic cause.”