ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani on Thursday extended the work ambit of the joint committee constituted last week to probe the US drone strike inside Pakistani territory — which had targeted Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour.

The joint committee, which comprises members of Senate’s standing committees on defence and foreign affairs, will now also look into the situation arising after the drone strike in Balochistan and submit its finding as and when required in the Senate session.

This amendment was made by Senate chairman following the motion submitted by Senators Farhatullah Babar, Sheher Bano, Sherry Rehman, Gianchand, Saeedul Hassan Mandokhail, Nehal Hashmi, Sirajul Haq, Mohammad Azam Khan Swati and Muhammad Javed Abbasi.

The legislators initiated discussion on the situation arising out of the drone strike on May 22, in Balochistan, which resulted in the killing of Mullah Mansour.

The committee, jointly chaired by the heads of both the Senate committees, was constituted after Senate discussed a motion regarding US Senate’s decision on blocking the F-16 deal with Pakistan.

Senators while discussing the killing of Mulla Mansoor argued that there is disconnect between Pakistan’s narrative before the drone strike and after the drone strike.

They asked the foreign affairs adviser about the policy of Foreign Office to work on Pakistan’s increasing isolation in the world.

The adviser was also asked to brief the house about the impact of this strike on the Afghan Taliban peace process and about Pakistan’s policy on drone strikes.

The premier’s foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz gave a policy statement in the Senate at the end of the debate.

He said the government did not receive any information about the drone strike before the incident.

“A detailed inquiry has been initiated by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar about how Mulla Mansour managed to get a National Identity Card,” Aziz added.

He told the Senate that Foreign Office had summoned the US ambassador and lodged protest on the matter. “Pakistan is in constant contact with the Afghan government and will continue its efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan,” he said.

Earlier in today’s session, Senate passed the Constitution (22nd Amendment) Bill, 2016, with two-third majority — 70 members voting in favour of the bill and none against it.

The bill was moved by Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Zahid Hamid. The Amendment bill pertains to procedures for appointments of Chief Election Commissioner and members of the Election Commission.

The bill was drafted after detailed consideration by the electoral reforms committee which comprises 11 members of the Senate and 23 of the National Assembly.