Islamabad, The Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges convened on Thursday at the Parliament House in Islamabad, chaired by Senator Muhammad Tahir Bizinjo. The committee discussed a privilege motion submitted by Senators Professor Dr. Mehar Taj Roghani, Rubina Khalid, Dr. Zarqa Suhrawardy Taimur, and Dr. Humayun Khan Mohmand against Neo News TV Channel. The channel had broadcasted a report on 12th September 2023, alleging the Senators pressured the PMDC to lower the passing criteria for foreign-trained MBBS graduates and claimed Senators were involved in passing failed candidates. This matter was referred by the Chairman Senate on 12th October, 2023.

According to the Senate of Pakistan, the committee emphasized that the news report not only targeted the Senators but also discredited the Senate Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, which oversees the country’s health department. Committee members believe that the report was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Senators and disrupt the proceedings of the Senate Health Committee. They expressed displeasure over the absence of representatives from Neo News TV Channel during the meeting and were not satisfied with the submitted brief, claiming it contained misleading and false information. The committee decided to summon the Chairman of PEMRA along with the channel’s management for further discussions.

The meeting saw the attendance of multiple Senators including Senator Saifullah Abro, Senator Professor Dr. Mehar Taj Roghani, Senator Rubina Khalid, Senator Dr. Humayun Khan Mohmand, Senator Prof. Sajid Mir, and Senator Khalida Sikandar Mandro, along with officials from related departments. However, privilege motions from Senator Talha Mehmood and Senator Umer Farooq were postponed due to their absence.