The lawmakers exchanged sharp words while questioning Suthra Punjab officials over the death of a Gujranwala sanitary worker.
WEB DESK: A Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights hearing turned tense on Wednesday when Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Abid Sher Ali and Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Aimal Wali Khan exchanged sharp words while questioning officials over the death of a sanitary worker in Gujranwala.
The committee, chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, was examining the case of a Gujranwala Waste Management Company (GWMC) employee who died by suicide. The committee heard claims that the worker had received half his salary and had his contract terminated before his death.
Abid Sher Ali tells Aimal Wali to ‘speak properly’
The verbal exchange began as Aimal Wali questioned Suthra Punjab officials about the circumstances surrounding the worker’s death.
Abid Sher Ali objected to the manner of questioning and told Wali to listen to the officials, saying the proceedings were an inquiry and should not resemble questioning at a police station.
When someone suggested turning off the cameras, Ali said he had no objection to being recorded and maintained that he had said nothing inappropriate.
Ali then told Wali to “speak properly.” Wali responded that he was speaking properly and told Ali to do the same.
Senator Qurratulain Marri and other committee members intervened to ease tensions between the two lawmakers.
Committee examines Gujranwala worker’s death
During the hearing, officials gave differing accounts about the worker’s employment status and the circumstances surrounding his death.
The GWMC chief executive officer told the committee that the worker had been employed from 2024 to 2025 and that his contract had ended on May 31. According to the official, the worker died after his contract had expired.
Senator Mussarur Hassan questioned officials about whether any audio or video had been recorded before the worker’s death and asked officials directly whether they had caused his death.
Aimal Wali said the worker had been receiving half his salary and alleged that the circumstances had pushed the labourer to take his own life.
The GWMC CEO disputed the salary-related claim, saying the company’s bank records showed the worker had been receiving his salary. He also referred to alleged performance issues involving the employee.
Senators question hiring process and compensation
Senator Qurratulain Marri also questioned why a third party had been used to provide cleaning staff rather than direct recruitment.
She pointed to an apparent timeline issue, noting that the Suthra Punjab Act came into force in 2026 while the incident under discussion occurred in 2025.
Aimal Wali also questioned how recruitment could have taken place in 2025 if the relevant institutions were formally established only in 2026.
Officials told the committee that compensation had been provided to the deceased worker’s widow and children. A plot was also purchased for the family with the involvement of a chamber and other parties.
Wali questioned why a plot had been provided if the worker was no longer employed at the time of his death, making a sarcastic remark that he too would be happy if he were given a plot.
Officials also referred to alleged personal problems as a possible factor in the worker’s death. Wali objected to this explanation and said officials had casually raised an allegation about a possible relationship.
These claims and counterclaims were presented during the committee hearing and were not established as findings of the committee.
Committee seeks relevant laws
The Senate committee directed Suthra Punjab officials to immediately provide copies of the relevant laws applicable in 2025 and 2026.
The committee also questioned whether authorities had taken any formal redressal measures beyond providing compensation and a plot to the deceased worker’s family.
The hearing therefore focused not only on the circumstances surrounding the worker’s death but also on questions about employment practices, institutional authority and the legal framework governing recruitment.
