PM, Senate Chairman at odds over Chaudhry being barred

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan came to the defense of Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday after Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani barred the federal minister from attending proceedings of the Upper House of Parliament.

Chaudhry was barred from attending the Senate session after he failed to apologise as directed by the chairman for inciting uproar during the Senate session.The chairman had warned the minister that he would not be allowed to attend Senate proceedings if he fails to apologise for his remarks. 

Fawad Chaudhry barred from Senate session after failing to apologise

Senate chairman had demanded apology from info minister for inciting uproar in Wednesday’s session

The warning came as the opposition walked out in protest the previous day after yet another war of words after Chaudhry accused Pushtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mehmood Achakzai of robbing the country and making anti-state statements.

However, Chaudhry stuck to his guns on Thursday when questioned by reporters about the Senate row and his failure to apologise on the Senate Chairman's directions.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said nobody had the right to disrespect any minister, Chaudhry told reporters at a press conference earlier today.

"Should we apologise for asking where the billions of rupees of the poor people of Pakistan went? Should we apologise if we ask how the money of the people of Pakistan is spent?" remarked Chaudhry.

He said that there was no need to apologise after the language used by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mushahidullah Khan against him and the prime minister.

War of words in Senate as Fawad accuses Mehmood Achakzai of anti-state talk

Senate chairman turned off the mic of Fawad as opposition members started a walkout

"We are told to apologise when we speak about corruption or the billions of rupees [robbed from] the poor people of Pakistan," he said.

He said that the cabinet was not satisfied with Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani's ruling to bar him from the House. "The entire cabinet expressed regret over this decision [by the Senate chairman]."

Speaking further about the Senate Chairman, Chaudhry said that he was voted in by the people of Pakistan while the Sanjrani was not elected.

The federal minister said that if the Senate Chairman was unable to bring order to the House, then the government would have to think over its strategy on the matter.