ISLAMABAD: With the opposition continuing its boycott of the Senate’s proceedings Wednesday, senators of the treasury benches asked Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari to use his good offices to end the deadlock.

Opposition senators mainly belonging to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have been protesting against what they call ‘arrogance’ shown by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan after allegedly providing wrong data to the house on Oct 30 about deaths in terrorism-related incidents.

The opposition held its separate proceedings on the street outside the parliament while the treasury benches met in the Senate hall today.

Upon the chairman Senate’s query, Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq said a treasury committee, led by Minister of State for Water & Power Abid Sher Ali, met with Leader of the Opposition Aitzaz Ahsan and Senator Raza Rabbani.

However, he was informed that the opposition showed its persistence in holding its separate session outside the parliament building.

Haq said the opposition and treasury benches were part of the house and should participate in regular sessions and maintain respect and dignity of the house.

Senator Hasil Bizenjo said that all senators were good colleagues and treasury benches had a responsibility to take along and listen to the opposition. He requested the chairman to play his role to end the deadlock. “Result will be positive if you play your role,” he added.

Bukhari said the proceedings of the house, without participation of the opposition, were inappropriate. “Let us hope for some positive outcome of the dialogue,” he said.

He said more responsibility lies on the government side but at the same time the opposition's attitude should also be responsible.

Senator Zafar Ali Shah said a walkout from the house was a parliamentary practice but it was a first time that the opposition was holding its ‘unconstitutional’ separate session outside the parliament and sought ruling of the chairman on this issue.

Senator Ghafoor Haidari, taking part in the debate, said he was optimistic that both sides would amicably solve the issue. He said critical situation of the country demanded more unity among the political parties, adding making issues out of petty things should be avoided.

Senator Tahir Mashhadi said that both sides should show flexibility to help end this deadlock as the country and people of were facing multitude of problems which need to be discussed in the upper house.

Nisar presents himself for accountability in NA

Meanwhile, the interior minister has called for formation of a parliamentary committee, comprising opposition members, to ascertain veracity of allegations against him by the opposition during Senate proceedings.

Speaking on a point of personal explanation in the National Assembly, he said he was ready to circulate the video of the proceedings of the upper house on Oct 30.

He said the opposition lawmakers should themselves watch his body language and his answer on the question which the opposition was protesting and boycotting the proceedings of the Senate.

Chaudhry Nisar said apparently it had been made an ego issue and he was ready to be accountable if found guilty.He said he had already re-checked figures of those killed in terrorist incidents from the provincial government and added that the figures were the same.

Regarding the Karachi situation, he said he has convened a meeting with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Saturday to address their concerns about target killing incidents in the city.