News Detail
Event Title: Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, Chairman Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad
Event Date: 2026-10-05
Senate Privileges Committee Reviews Alleged Misconduct by Officials; Keamari DC Matter Settled, PIFD Records Sought
A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges was held today at Parliament House, Islamabad, with Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi in the chair.
Senators Sadia Abbasi, Jan Muhammad, Hafiz Abdul Karim, Dost Ali Jaiser, Asad Qasim and Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan attended the meeting. Senators Bushra Anjum Butt and Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, who had moved privilege motions, also participated.
The Committee deferred consideration of the privilege motion moved by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan on December 24, 2025, against Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan due to his absence from the meeting.
The Committee considered the privilege motion moved by Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto against Deputy Commissioner Keamari District, Karachi, Abdul Sattar Hakro, regarding his alleged failure to meet the Senator at the appointed time. The Deputy Commissioner acknowledged the lapse.
Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto stated that his political office was barely two minutes away from the Deputy Commissioner’s office and that he had sought a meeting to discuss a matter of public interest. However, the Deputy Commissioner was unavailable. He further stated that his telephone calls remained unanswered for more than a month and that no explanation was provided for the failure to arrange the meeting.
The Deputy Commissioner explained that his Personal Assistant (PA) was away for Umrah and had failed to convey the Senator’s call to him.
The Committee Chairman observed that administrative officers should extend full cooperation to honourable Members of Parliament and respond appropriately to their requests and queries. The Deputy Commissioner also submitted a written apology before the Committee.
The Chairman directed the Parliamentary Affairs Division to write to the Establishment Division for issuing appropriate instructions to DMG officers regarding cooperation with honourable Members of Parliament.
With the consent of Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto and approval of the Committee, the written apology submitted by the Deputy Commissioner Keamari was accepted and the matter was disposed of.
The Committee also considered a privilege motion moved by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan against Director/Chief Clinical Coordinator (EAC), Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, Dr. Sharjeel Zaheer, regarding alleged derogatory remarks against a Member of Parliament.
Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan stated that she had posted a message on social media concerning the deaths of 14 children at PIMS. According to her, a video relating to the incident was subsequently shared, following which an officer allegedly made mocking remarks. After hearing the matter, the Committee decided to summon the concerned officer at its next meeting for further clarification.
The Committee also considered a privilege motion moved by Senator Hasna Bano against Deputy Commissioner Hub, Balochistan, Jamdad Khan Mandokhail, regarding alleged inappropriate behaviour and his refusal to sign a demand notice for an arms licence without justification.
The Chairman informed the Committee that the honourable Member had conveyed that the matter with the concerned officer had been resolved. Accordingly, with the consent of the Member, it was decided to withdraw the privilege motion.
The Committee then considered a privilege motion moved by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt against Vice Chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD), Ms. Hina Tayyaba Khalil, concerning her alleged failure or refusal to appear before a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training.
Senator Bushra Anjum Butt stated that the contractual tenure of the incumbent Vice Chancellor had expired in December 2025, but she continued to perform her duties thereafter. She further stated that during a meeting in which the Vice Chancellor was personally present, she had asked her to leave the meeting as the agenda under discussion related to her. According to the Senator, PIFD Senate member Deepak Perwani supported the Vice Chancellor’s position, following which an exchange of harsh words took place and the Senator left the meeting.
Senator Bushra Anjum Butt further informed the Committee that a Search Committee had been constituted for the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor. She expressed concern over a possible conflict of interest, stating that the incumbent Vice Chancellor’s sister was also among the candidates for the position. She further alleged that the Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training had been supporting the incumbent Vice Chancellor for several years.
Representatives of PIFD also briefed the Committee on their position.
Senator Bushra Anjum Butt stated that it was her responsibility to protect the rights of individuals who approached her office seeking justice, assistance and fair treatment.
The Committee Chairman expressed serious displeasure over the failure of PIFD’s Deepak Perwani and Ms. Sehar Saigal to attend the Committee meeting through video link despite being directed to do so. He termed their non-attendance a matter of serious concern and stated that the concerned officials would be required to ensure their personal attendance at the next meeting.
The Chairman expressed serious reservations regarding various matters at PIFD and stated that the Committee would soon apprise the President of Pakistan of the situation. A formal letter would also be written to the Secretary to the President in this regard.
The Chairman observed that PIFD was an important institution, but alleged nepotism and appointments and promotions based on personal preferences were adversely affecting its performance. He stated that all such matters would be examined in detail and that the Committee would take decisions strictly in accordance with merit.
The Committee Chairman also expressed serious concern over the alleged continuation of the Vice Chancellor in office beyond the expiry of her contractual tenure and sought clarification regarding the legal status of any extension granted to her tenure, along with the relevant supporting documents. He said that the Committee had repeatedly been informed that the incumbent Vice Chancellor was continuing to occupy the office after the expiry of her tenure and that the Committee would examine the matter in detail.
The Committee directed that the 13 individuals who had signed the response submitted to the Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges also be summoned at the next meeting. The Chairman observed that, although correspondence had taken place between the Committee and the institution, PIFD had shared such correspondence on other platforms, which he termed highly inappropriate and unprofessional.
The Chairman further directed the concerned Ministry to place before the Committee at its next meeting all relevant documents pertaining to the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of PIFD and any subsequent extension granted to her contractual tenure.
The next meeting of the Committee will also be attended by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, the Minister for Federal Education, relevant officials of the Ministry and representatives of the Higher Education Commission (HEC).