Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Aon Abbas Bappi was brought to the Senate on Saturday following the production orders, where he delivered a “poignant” speech before exiting the chamber in protest.

The Senate session, presided over by Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani, was conducted under a 10-point agenda. The political atmosphere intensified following the oath-taking of a newly elected senator.

Bappi’s emotional address

In his speech, Senator Bappi expressed gratitude to the Senate chairman for facilitating his appearance.

Bappi said that he had been arrested from his home on March 6, during which “authorities forcibly entered his bedroom and confiscated his mobile phone.” He claimed that during a court appearance, he faced accusations of deer hunting and was transferred from Bahawalpur to Islamabad on remand.

The PTI senator alleged that the true motive behind his arrest was his outspoken criticism of inflation and his loyalty to the PTI founder. As he spoke, he became visibly emotional and vehemently protested the non-implementation of production orders concerning fellow party Senator Ejaz Chaudhry.

Chairman’s ruling

Senate Chairman Gilani addressed the issue of Ejaz Chaudhry’s production orders, indicating that only partial compliance had occurred while the directive to bring him into the chamber was “overlooked.”

He referred the matter to the privileges committee, emphasising that the authority could not be challenged.

Bappi’s walkout

In a demonstration of dissent, Senator Bappi exited the session, stating that he could not remain in the chamber without Senator Chaudhry and would return to Bahawalpur Jail.

Opposition leader’s comments

Leader of Opposition in Senate Shibli Faraz stated that a “particular political party” had been targeted for the past two years, a situation that has reached the parliamentary level.

He questioned the “lack of a by-election” following Sanya Nishtar’s resignation while an “immediate election” was organised after Roonjho’s resignation. Faraz emphasised that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was being denied representation in the Senate and called for prompt action on Chaudhry’s production orders.

Responses from other Senators

Senator Irfan Siddiqui stated that the chairman’s ruling was representative of the Senate’s voice and should not be contested. He referenced the challenges faced by PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz in jail, advocating for adherence to production orders.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman underscored the importance of maintaining the dignity of the Senate. She reminded the opposition of past arrests, including that of Faryal Talpur on Eid night while expressing her support for any victim of injustice.

JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza raised concerns about the non-implementation of production orders, questioning when public issues would be addressed if the Senate’s business remained unresolved.

Chairman’s comments

Senate Chairman Gillani noted that had a decision been made against him two days prior, he too could have faced arrest, questioning who would have issued his production orders in that scenario.