ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas has strongly criticised what he described as the “suspension” of live broadcasts of Senate proceedings, demanding clarity on who ordered the move.
Speaking during a session of the upper house, Allama Abbas — who holds the position with backing from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — alleged that live streaming is at times “halted during certain speeches without explanation.” He stressed that the Senate is a constitutional institution and said the public has the right to know why coverage is interrupted.
“We need clarification on who ordered the suspension of the broadcast,” he told the house, raising concerns about transparency and parliamentary oversight.
Government Distances Itself
Responding to the remarks, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said the federal government has no role in managing Senate broadcasts. He maintained that the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Senate itself.
“This is the prerogative of the Senate of Pakistan,” Tarar said, adding that only the Chairman of the Senate is authorised to make such decisions. He further noted that freedom of speech, while protected, operates within constitutional limits.
PTI Chairman Moves to Block ‘Imran Release Force’ Proposal
The controversy comes weeks after the National Assembly of Pakistan’s official YouTube channel appeared temporarily inaccessible, with live streams not visible. At the time, the National Assembly Secretariat denied any deliberate shutdown, attributing the disruption to a technical fault.
Concerns Over Imran Khan’s Health
During the same session, Allama Abbas also raised concerns regarding the health of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, describing it as a serious matter. He proposed forming a delegation of senators to visit the hospital and independently assess Khan’s condition.
In response, Tarar assured the house that Imran Khan’s health was “satisfactory” and that there was no cause for alarm. He said the former premier had been taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) as scheduled and with his consent.
According to the minister, a medical board comprising four specialist doctors — including experts from PIMS and Al-Shifa Eye Hospital — conducted a comprehensive examination. Following consultations, Khan reportedly received a second dose of prescribed treatment.
Addressing calls for his release, Tarar reiterated that Imran Khan is a convicted prisoner and that any decision regarding his release rests solely with the courts.
The episode highlights ongoing tensions between the government and opposition over parliamentary transparency and the treatment of political leaders, amid an already polarised political climate.
