ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Friday adopted a novel way to protest against ministers’ absence from the house by observing the longest silence ever in the country’s parliamentary history.

When the session started with Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani in the chair, not even a single federal minister or a minister of state was present in the house.

On this an enraged Mr Rabbani announced that the house would observe silence till a minister turned up.

The first of its kind silence observed in the Senate continued for around 10 minutes and ended when Education Minister Baleeghur Rahman reached the house, only to disappoint the house further.

The members were dismayed to note that the reply to the first question had not been received.

The question was about the amount spent by Pakistan on the “war against terror” in the country with year-wise breakup and the amount received by the government from the United States for controlling terrorism during that period.

When Mr Rahman was asked to respond, he revealed that only estimates of the expenses were available.

“How is it possible? The government is supposed to have details of each and every penny spent. Do you know the consequences of what you are saying?” Mr Rabbani asked the minister. The latter just said that it was a lengthy exercise and repeated that estimated expenses incurred on “war against terror” could be shared.

The Senate chairman deferred the question, saying that he would see what to do if a reply did not come.

The next question was about estimated annual revenues to be accrued to Pakistan through different agreements with China made under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The house was informed that the planning and development ministry had transferred the question to the finance ministry which had not accepted it. Now it has been transferred to the cabinet division.

Mr Rabbani asked where the planning minister was. He said the interior minister was also supposed to present a report on the progress made by the Federal Investigation Authority under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, and he too was not present.

The Senate chairman said the census was a serious issue, but the minister in-charge had gone abroad for 15 days. “Has the entire government shifted abroad?” he asked.

He directed the Senate secretariat to write letters to all ministers and declared that he would make it binding on ministers, who have their items on agenda, to attend the session.

Mr Rabbani also warned that action would be taken against secretaries of the ministries from where replies to questions were not received and motion for contempt of parliament would be taken up by the house. He said it would be recommended to mention the contempt in the annual confidential reports of the secretaries.

The chairman said he would not allow anybody to belittle parliament and prorogued the house without transacting any business.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2017