Senate Debate Centers on Imran Khan’s Conviction and Political Disputes
On Monday, the Senate became the battleground for heated discussions surrounding the 14-year sentence handed to former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a £190 million corruption case. Government and opposition leaders clashed over the case’s legitimacy and its political motives.
PTI’s Response to the Conviction
Senator Shibli Faraz, leader of the opposition PTI, argued that Khan’s conviction was politically motivated. He claimed it stemmed from Khan’s plans to establish a university aimed at educating the younger generation. Faraz contended that the conviction was designed to sideline Khan from politics and assured that the case would be appealed in higher courts.
Faraz also pointed out that the funds returned from the UK were deposited in the Supreme Court account, not for the personal gain of Khan or his party. He criticized other political parties for their alleged involvement in questionable land deals, referring to palaces built with land sold at undervalued prices. He further defended the Al Qadir Trust, stating that trustees don’t profit from such initiatives and that the university had been established in the public interest.
PML-N’s Counterarguments
In contrast, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui rejected the opposition’s claims. He questioned the legitimacy of the Al Qadir Trust, noting that no favors had been provided in exchange for large land donations. Siddiqui also brought up the issue of 240 kanal of land being transferred to Farah Gogi, a close associate of Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi. He added that Al Qadir University, in fact, lacked legal university status, functioning more like a graduate college.
Parliamentary Tensions
Tensions also arose when PTI lawmakers protested the non-implementation of PTI Senator Ejaz Chaudhary’s production order, with many opposition members walking out of the house in protest. The matter further complicated proceedings, and the session was disrupted.
Legislative Progress and National Assembly Standstill
On a separate note, the Senate passed five bills, including amendments to parliamentary salaries and allowances, and the national assembly’s employee regulations. However, the National Assembly session was derailed when PTI members raised concerns about the lack of quorum. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq adjourned the session after a walkout by PTI lawmakers and a failure to meet quorum requirements. The disruption highlights the continued tensions between the PTI and the ruling government.
The government’s agenda, which has already faced several setbacks since January 6, remains stalled due to PTI’s ongoing protests and the failure to maintain a quorum in the National Assembly.
