Jahangir Badr rejects PML-N's criticism.

ISLAMABAD -- Senate began its session here on Friday with Chairman Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari in the chair.

The chair announced panel of Presiding Officers for the current session. It included Ahmad Hassan, Afrasiab Khan Khattak and Muhammad Rafique Rajwana.

The newly elected member of the House Rehman Malik took oath as Senator.

Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari administered the oath.

The PML-N Senators staged a walk out from the Senate against what they said calling an emergency session of the House just for holding oath taking ceremony for Rehman Malik.

Leader of the House Jahangir Badr rejected the PML-N criticism saying that the session has been summoned to conclude discussion on the Presidential Address to the joint sitting.

Responding to points of order raised by different members, he clarified that the session has not been convened specially for oath of newly elected Senator Rehman Malik.

On a point of order, Farhatullah Babar voiced concern over judges' remarks about the parliament. He said the judiciary should exercise restraint by keeping in view its jurisdiction.

He said the ruling of National Assembly Speaker has been overturned and the dignity of the parliament is continuously being eroded.

Farhatullah Babar said that Registrar of the Supreme Court was summoned by the Public Accounts Committee but he avoided toappear.

He said the parliament respects the judiciary and it should also accord respect to the parliament.

On a point of order by PML-N Senator Ishaq Dar, the Law Minister Farooq H. Naik agreed that a fresh notification for Leader of the House is required.

Jahangir Badr also laid before the House the Third Quartely Report for the year 2011-12 of the Centrla Board of Directors of State Bank of Pakistan on the state of national economy.