Shibli Faraz Urges Senate Chairman to Intervene Over Withheld Vote Count on SBP Bill

By DTD- On Mar 2, 2025

Islamabad – Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Syed Shibli Faraz, has formally written to Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, urging him to intervene and ensure the announcement of the withheld vote count on the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Amendment Bill, 2024. In his letter, Faraz emphasized the need to uphold parliamentary procedures and transparency, highlighting that the vote count result had been unjustly withheld during a recent prorogued session.

The bill, titled ‘The State Bank (SBP) of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2024,’ was moved by Senator Mohsin Aziz on February 17 and passed after a voice vote and physical counting, in accordance with Senate rules. Despite the bill receiving majority support, the Deputy Chairman failed to announce the voting results, which Faraz argues violates Article 238(6) of the Senate’s rules and procedures.

Faraz criticized the failure to announce the vote count as a serious violation of parliamentary conduct, calling it an affront to democratic principles and the integrity of the Senate. He stressed that such actions undermine the credibility of Parliament, erode public trust in the legislative system, and hinder its proper functioning.

In his letter, Faraz urged Gilani to ensure the prompt resolution of the matter to restore the integrity and credibility of the Senate. He warned that continued disregard for parliamentary rules would damage public confidence in the institution and compromise its legitimacy. Faraz’s plea seeks to preserve Parliament’s role as a central forum for democratic decision-making and governance.