ISLAMABAD: Senate Monday strongly condemned the bid by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) bid to partially demolish the house of Leader of Opposition Shibli Faraz and sought a thorough probe into it. It was a private members day, as PTI Senator Saifullah Abro on a point of public importance, rose to inform the House that the CDA officials along with a bulldozer on Monday morning reached the residence of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate apparently to demolish some parts it.

He claimed that the officials harassed members of the Faraz’s family at the residence located in the federal capital. He remarked that if the house of opposition leader was not safe, then what kind of protection was available for a common man.

The privilege of the opposition leader, he contended, had been breached by the officials. He also claimed that the action was taken after the opposition leader spoke in the House against the treasury benches. Abro urged the chair to refer the matter to the House Privilege Committee for an investigation where all officials concerned should be summoned.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said that the report should be presented before the House to explain if there was some anti-encroachment operation and what was the purpose of it. She wondered how the CDA came to the residence along with bulldozers where the opposition leader had been living there for the last 15 years.

“The privilege of the House has been breached and it requires clarification over the issue. This issue is important from all the members. We strongly condemn it,” she remarked.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that news was painful and assured the House that a report from the secretary interior and Islamabad chief commissioner about the incident would be sought and present before the House on Tuesday (today). He said that action would be taken if the officials overstepped the law.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz said that such incidents would not shake their courage as his party was passing through tough times. He assured the House that he had done no illegality and hoped that report would endorse his stance.