The Senate on Monday unanimously passed the Contempt of Parliament Bill, 2023. Senator Kahuda Babar Baloch presented the bill that aims at penalizing and fining those who violate parliamentary privileges, including committees and members of parliament.
In a notable exchange, Senator Pir Sabir Shah of the Pakistan Muslim League-N criticized a member of his own party, Rana Tanveer Hussain, questioning the decision to send the Pakistan Institute and Technology Bill, 2023 to the Higher Education Commission.
He expressed concern about the sanctity of the house and the role of HEC in this matter. Tanveer, who serves as the federal minister for defense production, defended the decision, raising issues related to recognition of degrees abroad and the prevalence of fake degrees.
Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi voiced concerns during the Senate meeting about the high salaries and perks of the HEC officers and questioned the commission’s effectiveness in dealing with institutions operating without a no objection certificate.
The Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was presented in the House by Senator Humayun Mohmand and was subsequently sent to the relevant committee by the Senate chairman.
