ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Communications on Friday witnessed a sharp exchange of words between Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai over the alleged misuse of public funds on National Highway-5 near the minister’s private housing project.

The committee was reviewing reports of nearly Rs2 billion being spent on a stretch of N-5 passing in front of Park View Housing Society, owned by the federal minister. The issue was raised by Senator Palwasha, a member of the committee, who questioned the justification and transparency of the expenditure.

Defending the project, Abdul Aleem Khan maintained that the works were being executed by the National Highway Authority for public benefit and had no connection with Park View Housing Society. He said the section between Thokar Niaz Baig and the Ring Road on Multan Road had been rehabilitated and widened to improve traffic flow and regional connectivity.

However, the minister repeatedly made personal remarks towards Senator Palwasha during the discussion, warning that personal questions could invite personal responses in return. His comments drew a strong reaction from the senator, who objected to what she described as a provocative tone and inappropriate conduct.

“You are doing business and government at the same time and you have to answer these questions,” Senator Palwasha remarked, accusing the minister of avoiding accountability. In response, Abdul Aleem Khan insisted that he had already given his explanation, leading to further verbal sparring between the two lawmakers.

The exchange intensified, with Senator Palwasha alleging that the minister’s aggressive defence reflected guilt, while the minister responded with equally harsh remarks. Chairman of the committee Senator Pervaiz Rasheed and other members intervened, urging both sides to exercise restraint and allow proceedings to continue.

Although Abdul Aleem Khan later apologised to the committee for his remarks, Senator Palwasha declined to accept the apology and staged a walkout. The chairman subsequently postponed the meeting.

The committee had earlier sought a detailed briefing from the NHA chairman regarding the scale and nature of spending on the N-5 section adjacent to Park View Housing Society. Instead, the federal minister opted to appear personally before the committee to present his position.

Official records indicate that development works worth around Rs2 billion are underway on the road segment connecting the housing society. These include expenditures of Rs4.01 million on a smart U-turn, Rs105 million on repair and maintenance of the road corridor, Rs137 million on installation of lighting, Rs241 million on highway safety measures, Rs671 million on improvement and widening of the road, Rs291 million on the extension of the Hydera Bridge, Rs49.6 million on plantation and sprinkling, Rs282 million on redesigning a U-turn, Rs150 million on construction of two U-turns, and Rs1.8 million on additional road widening works.