ISLAMABAD: A startling incident during a Senate committee meeting has reignited concerns about hygiene and maintenance inside Pakistan’s Parliament House after a cockroach was found on a refreshment plate served to a lawmaker. Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Waqar Mehdi revealed that he spotted the insect crawling on his plate, which contained sandwiches, samosas, and other snacks provided during the meeting.
According to the senator, the discovery left him shocked and deeply concerned about food safety standards within the parliamentary premises. He raised the issue on the floor of the committee, drawing attention to what he described as a recurring problem rather than an isolated lapse. His remarks immediately prompted reactions from fellow committee members, who acknowledged the seriousness of the matter.
Senator Mehdi stated that this was not the first time he had witnessed such conditions inside Parliament House. Instead, he said it was the third occasion on which he had encountered cockroaches within the building. He further claimed that insects had previously appeared not only in food plates but also on tables and even among official files in parliamentary offices. As a result, he questioned the effectiveness of sanitation and pest-control measures currently in place.
Repeated complaints prompt official response
Following the complaint, Committee Chairman Senator Saifullah Abro took stern notice of the issue. He informed committee members that he had already written to the Senate Secretariat regarding what he described as persistently poor sanitary conditions inside Parliament House. According to him, repeated reports of cockroaches indicated a systemic problem that required urgent attention rather than temporary fixes.
Senator Abro emphasized that Parliament House, as a symbol of the state, must maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and safety. He added that the presence of insects in food-serving areas posed health risks and undermined the dignity of the institution. Consequently, he urged the relevant authorities to take immediate corrective measures to address pest control, food handling, and overall maintenance.
Meanwhile, the incident has triggered broader discussion among lawmakers about accountability and oversight of services within Parliament. Several members argued that repeated complaints suggested negligence and called for a comprehensive review of sanitation contracts and monitoring mechanisms.
Broader concerns over maintenance and public image
The cockroach incident has once again highlighted longstanding concerns about cleanliness and infrastructure upkeep inside Pakistan’s Parliament House. Observers note that such incidents not only raise health and safety issues but also damage the credibility and public image of the legislature.
Moreover, critics argue that lawmakers routinely discuss governance failures across the country, yet similar issues persist within their own workplace. Therefore, they believe swift and visible action is necessary to restore confidence and set an example for other public institutions.
As attention now turns to the Senate Secretariat and relevant administrative departments, expectations remain high that authorities will implement effective pest-control measures and improve hygiene standards. Without decisive action, lawmakers warn that similar incidents could recur, further undermining trust in the management of one of the country’s most important institutions.
