The Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, chaired by Syed Waqar Mehdi, has taken serious notice of a vlogger, Rizwan Razi, whose content on national electronic media was condemned as hate speech against the Sindhi community.
The committee called the vlog a disruption of national harmony and an attack on parliamentarians. While Pakistan Television (PTV) has terminated Razi’s services, the committee deemed the punishment “inadequate.” Senator Mehdi stated, “This is not just a threat to Sindh but to Pakistan’s national integrity. Such voices must be silenced with permanent measures.”
The committee has recommended that Razi be blacklisted, his YouTube channel be banned by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and an investigation into his past content be launched.
Balochistan Governance and Officials’ Absences The committee also addressed the privilege motion filed by Senator Nawab Umer Farooq Kasi regarding the death of Musavir Khan Kakar. The former chief secretary and inspector general of Balochistan were summoned to explain the failure in governance. Senator Kasi questioned the chief secretary’s competence, asking, “National institutions were aware of the abduction. If the Chief Secretary is unaware, why is he holding office?” In a sharp critique, the Balochistan chief secretary said, “The Ministry of Interior Balochistan is no longer of any use; it should be closed.” The IG Balochistan reported that five of the nine terrorists involved in the incident had been killed.
Strong displeasure was also directed at the repeated absence of Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa, who missed a second consecutive meeting about a fraudulent property allotment case. Senator Mehdi warned, “This is the last time an adjournment is being allowed. Next time, strict action will follow.”
Student Issues and Campus Security The committee also reviewed the eviction of students from Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) hostels and campus security. Acting Vice Chancellor Zafar Nawaz Jaspal revealed that “people were living illegally in 14 hostels. Shockingly, drugs were being transported in an ambulance.” Outraged by the absence of the Islamabad police chief, Senator Mehdi questioned the effectiveness of campus security, asking, “Where was your security when drugs were being transported?” A sub-committee was formed to investigate the hostel evictions, illegal occupants, and drug trafficking issues.
