The Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges convened at Parliament House on Monday, addressing critical issues ranging from hate speech and institutional accountability to drug trafficking and alleged abduction. Chaired by Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, the committee tackled a multifaceted agenda with far-reaching implications.

The committee strongly condemned a vlog by Rizwan Razi containing hate speech targeting the Sindhi community, labeling PTV’s termination of Razi’s employment as insufficient. Senator Mehdi declared such rhetoric a threat to national unity and demanded a permanent solution, recommending blacklisting Razi, banning his YouTube channel, and investigating his past content.

The committee also expressed strong displeasure over the continued absence of CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa regarding the fraudulent allotment of a property in Sector I-10/4. Chairman Mehdi criticized Randhawa’s non-appearance, labeling it unacceptable and threatening strict action. He condemned the CDA for providing misleading details and termed the property allotment a grave instance of institutional misconduct.

Scrutinizing a privilege motion concerning the transfer of eight Customs officials, the committee stressed the Secretary Committee’s mandatory presence in such proceedings for transparency. The matter was deferred for review.

The committee further addressed the eviction of students from Quaid-e-Azam University hostels and recent campus unrest. Acting Vice Chancellor Zafar Nawaz Jaspal revealed the presence of illegal occupants in 14 hostels and shockingly, drug transport via ambulance. Outraged members questioned campus security and formed a sub-committee to investigate the evictions, illegal occupants, and drug trafficking.

The committee also raised concerns over convicted individual Dr. Nadeem-ul-Haq’s continued publication of columns in The News. Senator Saadia Abbasi questioned how a convicted individual could be given a public platform. The matter was deferred pending a review of his conviction records.

Finally, the committee discussed the abduction and killing of Musavir Khan Kakar. Senator Nawab Umer Farooq Kasi questioned the Chief Secretary Balochistan’s awareness of the incident, while the Chief Secretary himself surprisingly called for the closure of the Ministry of Interior Balochistan. The IG Balochistan reported the elimination of five out of nine terrorists involved. The committee summoned the former Chief Secretary and IG Balochistan to explain the security lapse.

The Senate Standing Committee reaffirmed its dedication to upholding parliamentary privilege, ensuring institutional accountability, and safeguarding citizens against hate speech, corruption, and abuse of authority.