ISLAMABAD: A Senate panel on Friday raised alarm over rising criminal activities including kidnappings in Kashmore district of Sindh and decided to take up the issue with higher authorities.

The Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, met here with Senator Taj Haider in the chair.

Speaking on a privilege motion moved by him against the SSP Kashmore, Senator Saifullah Abro said that he attempted to contact the SSP over 50 times but received no response.

He expressed concern over daily kidnappings of people in the region, emphasising that Kashmore has become a hub for criminal activity. In the last three days alone, 10 people have been abducted, he said.

He further informed the committee of a case in which a local police inspector demanded a ransom of Rs10 million and four iPhones for a victim’s release.

Senator Saifullah says 10 people kidnapped in three days

“This incident is part of a disturbing pattern of lawlessness in the region, where such heinous crimes have become alarmingly frequent and remain unaddressed by local authorities,” he remarked.

Senator Taj Haider recommended that the committee take up the matter with the Sindh chief minister and called for a disciplinary action against the SSP of Kashmore, given the seriousness and frequency of such incidents.

He also advised that recommendation be shared with the IG and relevant officials.

Senator Saifullah Abro, supporting this approach, suggested that the committee address the issue with the Establishment Division, noting that criminal activity in these four districts was damaging Sindh’s reputation.

The privilege motion moved by Senator Saadia Abbasi in the Senate on September 9 about an article titled, ‘The Stealth Cost of Legislature’ published in Daily Dawn, authored by the Assistant Chief (Policy) of PIDE, Islamabad was also taken up by the committee.

Senator Saadia Abbasi stated that this article was intended to malign lawmakers and deserves condemnation. The Vice Chancellor of PIDE refuted the objections raised by the senator and said that the institution focuses on research and analysis.

Senator Haider said that labeling this as an “academic exercise” was objectionable, as true academic exercises are grounded in objectivity, where conclusions are drawn from facts.

The committee chairman recommended that the document be corrected and redistributed by PIDE in newspapers where was published.

The committee recommended disciplinary action against the vice chancellor.

Regarding the deliberation on the matter referred by the Senate chairman concerning the introduction of Constitutional Amendment bills by members in the Senate without seeking instructions or approval from their respective parliamentary parties, in light of Article 63A, a thorough discussion was held among the committee members.

Senator Abbasi expressed the view that the privileges of political members should be considered.

She said that she did not endorse applying National Assembly laws to the Senate and that members should introduce bills only with the approval of their parties.

Senator Dost Ali Jeeser, on the other hand, opined that at least a 20 per cent consensus should be required for an amendment to pass, while the chairman of the committee suggested that a 10 per cent consensus and approval from the political party be required.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2024