In an unusual development, the Senate of Pakistan has summoned the Attorney General following widespread concern among lawmakers about what they describe as growing judicial interference in parliamentary affairs. Members from both the government and opposition benches voiced strong objections to recent court-issued stay orders halting the work of Senate standing committees.
The issue came to light when former Senate Deputy Chairman and senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Saleem Mandviwalla raised it during a session chaired by Senator Shahadat Awan, also from PPP. Mandviwalla expressed dismay that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and Lahore High Court (LHC) had issued stay orders on committee proceedings, a move he termed unprecedented in his legislative career.
Calling the situation “alarming,” Mandviwalla demanded that the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) appear before the House and explain the legal basis for these stay orders. He pointed out that no active litigation was ongoing when the court orders were issued and emphasized that parliamentary committees are extensions of the legislative body and should operate without judicial overreach.
“The Attorney General must come and tell us what this joke is,” he insisted, noting that Parliament has historically refrained from interfering in judicial matters out of institutional respect.
When the presiding officer noted the law minister’s absence and suggested referring the matter to the AGP through the Senate Secretariat, Mandviwalla pushed back, insisting that the AGP, not the law minister, was the appropriate authority to respond. Senator Shahadat Awan eventually agreed to issue a notice to the AGP to brief the House, stating, “Let the Attorney General come and clarify the facts so legal recourse can be considered.”
However, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry suggested a meeting between the AGP and the Senate Chairman in the latter’s office instead.
Citing Article 69(1) of the Constitution, which protects parliamentary proceedings from legal challenges over procedural issues, PPP Senator Zameer Ghumro said the stay orders undermined the principle of separation of powers. He questioned whether Parliament had ever encroached on the judiciary’s domain.
Senator Dilawar Khan echoed this sentiment, stating that Parliament is a sovereign institution and should be free from outside meddling. PTI Senator Saifullah Abro criticized Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar for supporting amendments that allegedly weaken the judiciary, and reiterated calls for the AGP’s immediate presence.
JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza also criticized the judiciary’s intrusion and suggested that the House formally express its displeasure.
According to Article 57 of the Constitution, the Attorney General has the right to participate in either House’s proceedings. While it remains unclear if he will appear in person, Senate sources said the session’s full transcript would be sent to him for review, with the Senate Chairman to decide the next steps based on the AGP’s response.
Senate Condemns Israel’s Claim Over West Bank
Separately, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution denouncing the Israeli parliament’s recent move to declare sovereignty over the occupied West Bank. Moved by Senator Palwasha Khan, the resolution labelled the action “illegal, illegitimate and void” under international law, UN Security Council resolutions, and the Geneva Conventions.
Allegations Against Former Finance Minister
During Question Hour, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry alleged that a former finance minister had improperly increased allocations for the BISP Nashounuma Programme to nearly Rs 20 billion while a company owned by him was the sole supplier of specialized nutritional food.
Chaudhry claimed that Ismail Industries, owned by ex-minister Miftah Ismail, was awarded the contract without competitive bidding or adherence to Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules, and that nutritional food worth Rs 97 billion was procured under the scheme.
The presiding officer, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, referred the matter to a Senate standing committee for investigation after lawmakers questioned the lack of earlier action.
Responding on X (formerly Twitter), Miftah Ismail denied the accusations, stating his company had supplied the World Food Programme (WFP) for over two decades and followed strict international tendering protocols. He challenged Dr. Chaudhry to present evidence and pursue legal action through NAB or FIA.
