PML-N, ANP senators spar over death of Gujranwala sanitary worker at Senate committee meeting

PML-N, ANP senators spar over death of Gujranwala sanitary worker at Senate committee session.

Key points

• Khan Published September 9, 2026 Updated September 9, 2026 09: 51pm.
• Authorities informed the committee that the worker had been with GWMC from 2024 to 2025 and that his contract had expired on May 31.
• On the Jaranwala incident of August 16, 2023, authorities stated 389 individuals had been arrested and a number of cases were under trial or had been concluded.
• Chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, the committee was reviewing the death of an employee of the Gujranwala Waste Management Firm (GWMC).
• On July 17, the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights expressed concern over the worker's alleged suicide.

Iftikhar A. Khan Published September 9, 2026 Updated September 9, 2026 09: 51pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

ISLAMABAD: A session of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights turned acrimonious on Wednesday as PML-N Senator Abid Sher Ali and ANP chief Senator Aimal Wali Khan clashed over the questioning of Suthra Punjab office-holders in connection with the death of a Gujranwala waste management worker.

Chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, the committee was reviewing the death of an employee of the Gujranwala Waste Management Firm (GWMC). This person allegedly died by suicide after receiving half his salary and facing termination of his contract.

Tensions rose when Senator Khan pressed authorities with pointed questions. Senator Ali interrupted, objecting to the tone. "Listen to them – you are conducting an inquiry and asking questions as if you are sitting in a police station, " he remarked.

When a member suggested that the cameras be switched off, Ali remarked he had "nothing wrong to say".

"Speak properly, " he informed Khan. "I am speaking properly – you speak properly too, " Khan shot back. Senators, including Qurratulain Marri, intervened to defuse the situation.

Authorities informed the committee that the worker had been with GWMC from 2024 to 2025 and that his contract had expired on May 31. The alleged suicide, they remarked, occurred after his employment had concluded.

Khan alleged that the worker had been paid only half his salary. "A common labourer was pushed to the point where he took his own life, " he remarked.

Meanwhile, the GWMC CEO disputed this, saying bank records indicated full salary payments and that the worker had performance matters.

Committee members questioned why Suthra Punjab was engaging a third party for cleaning staff instead of recruiting workers directly. According to Senator Marri, the Suthra Punjab Act came into force in 2026, while the incident took place in 2025.

"How was recruitment done before the institution formally existed?" she asked. Khan echoed the concern.

Meanwhile, the CEO remarked the sanitary worker had initially been engaged in 2025 through a contractor and was afterwards rehired and deputed to the IT room of the Suthra Punjab office as a naib qasid. He was afterwards dismissed on grounds of misconduct, the committee was informed.

In practice, the GWMC CEO remarked compensation had been provided to the worker's widow and children, including a plot purchased with the assist of a chamber of commerce.

When Senator Khan asked why a plot had been given if the worker was not in service, he remarked: "If you give me a plot too, I will also be happy."

Authorities suggested the worker may have had personal difficulties. The ANP chief rejected the claim, saying: "You casually made an allegation that there was a love affair involved in why he died."

Meanwhile, the committee directed Suthra Punjab to submit all relevant documents and copies of the laws for 2025 and 2026 and asked whether any redressal mechanism existed beyond financial compensation. The chairperson directed that the deceased's family be invited to the next session to present their position.

On July 1, a Suthra Punjab worker set himself on fire in Gujranwala in protest against non-payment of his full salary. He succumbed to his injuries two days afterwards.

In practice, a CCTV camera recorded footage of the employee when he was coming out of the office where he had gone to complain against the contractor, afterwards showing him dowsing himself in petrol in the corridor in the presence of some staff members.

Some other employees present there rushed to save their colleague and threw water on him, the CCTV footage indicated.

Notably, an official remarked the contractor had been illegally deducting a major chunk of the workers' Rs21, 000 monthly salary.

On July 17, the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights expressed concern over the worker's alleged suicide. It sought complete records, including contracts, salary registers, tax documents and banking transactions, to examine feasible violations. It additionally directed authorities to provide details of compensation and insurance for the deceased worker's family. Other cases taken up.

In practice, the Extra IG Sindh briefed the committee on the case of Mir Raza. His father had documented him missing in July 2026. The first post-mortem was conducted on July 30, and a second was conducted at the request of the accused's family. Senator Ali questioned the need for a second autopsy.

Notably, the committee was informed that the SHO had failed to preserve the crime scene and had shifted the body to the hospital. Both the SHO and DSP were suspended for negligence. The committee recommended the arrest of the SHO.

On the Jaranwala incident of August 16, 2023, authorities stated 389 individuals had been arrested and a number of cases were under trial or had been concluded. Expressing concern over delays, the chairperson remarked the matter involved a minority community and required urgent resolution.

Senator Ali stressed the need for justice and adequate compensation. The Chief Secretary's representative remarked an assessment committee would evaluate losses with community representatives and that Rs2 million would be given to each affected family. The families, nevertheless, stated the amount did not match their actual losses. The chairperson directed that compensation be determined on the basis of actual damages.

For context, the committee additionally reviewed the target killing of Ahmed Javed. It was informed that the main accused. This person was out on bail, was appearing in court with 40-50 residents, allegedly intimidating witnesses. The committee recommended applying to the court to stop the practice.

Senator Khan criticised the working of the CCD in Punjab and CTD in KP. The chairperson additionally questioned the NCCIA's performance regarding alleged malicious social media material uploaded by the accused.

Iftikhar A. Khan is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn with over three decades of experience in journalism. He covers the parliament, the Election Commission of Pakistan, and the Interior Ministry.

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