ISLAMABAD: Deputy Chairman of the Senate Syedaal Khan on Friday reaffirmed his resolve to strictly enforce a recent ruling that bars criticism of “national heroes,” including political leadership and state institutions, within the upper house of parliament.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament House, Mr Khan said derogatory or disrespectful remarks against national heroes belonging to the armed forces, politics, the judiciary or any national institution would not be tolerated during Senate proceedings. His remarks came a week after his ruling sparked debate among lawmakers and political observers.
“Every member has the right to express views, but that right must be exercised within the constitutional framework, rules of procedure and established parliamentary traditions,” the deputy chairman said. He stressed that maintaining the sanctity and dignity of the House was a collective responsibility of all members.
Mr Khan said formal letters had already been issued to all parliamentary leaders, including those from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, to ensure strict implementation of the ruling. He added that copies of the directive had also been forwarded to the Leader of the House, the Ministry of Law and Justice and the chief whip to remove any ambiguity regarding its scope and enforcement.
Referring to an earlier ruling issued on December 4, Mr Khan said that decisions regarding the suspension of members accused of obstructing Senate proceedings would be enforced without compromise. He said the ruling clearly prohibited the bringing of banners, placards, photographs or similar material into the House, describing such actions as a violation of parliamentary decorum.
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The deputy chairman emphasised that Parliament should not be allowed to become a forum for pressure tactics, intimidation or provocation. He said members speaking within constitutional and parliamentary limits would be fully protected in exercising their right to expression.
Mr Khan maintained that the ruling was not aimed at any particular political party, individual or group. “This ruling is strictly in accordance with the rules and laws governing the Senate. Its sole purpose is to preserve the sanctity of the House and uphold parliamentary values,” he said.
A week after barring criticism of ‘national heroes’ including political leadership in the House, Deputy Chairman of Senate, Syedaal Khan, on Friday vowed to enforce his surprising ruling.https://t.co/e87uAEOtIr
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 13, 2025
During the informal interaction with journalists, he also paid tribute to the country’s security forces for their sacrifices in maintaining peace and security. He urged all political stakeholders to refrain from making irresponsible statements on any forum, warning that such remarks could undermine institutional credibility.
The ruling has drawn mixed reactions from different political quarters, with some lawmakers expressing concern over its potential implications for free speech in Parliament, while others have supported stricter enforcement of rules to maintain order. Despite the criticism, Mr Khan reiterated that protecting the credibility and prestige of Parliament remained paramount and that the rules would be applied uniformly to all members.
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