ISLAMABAD: It is often said that the people are wary of politicians’ promises. But on Thursday, the Senate witnessed discussion proving that even senators have trouble taking their colleagues at their word.

During a discussion on the state of roads in the federal capital, the ANP’s Senator Baz Muhammad Khan disputed a reply submitted by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), which claimed that nearly all roads in the city were in good condition.

He was joined by Senator Zahid Khan, who raised a question about the painfully slow reconstruction of Kashmir Highway.

Responding to their concerns, State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab assured the house that work on the Kashmir Highway would be completed by May 31, 2014.

“I am confident that Kashmir Highway will be up and running by the end of May,” he said.

Instead of pacifying members, this reply seemed to infuriate them. The ANP’s Ilyas Bilour contradicted the statement and asked the minister to reconsider the May 31 deadline.

In response, Sheikh Aftab reiterated his initial statement, asking members to “have faith in the PML-N government”.

However, before he could finish, Senator Abdul Nabi Bangash stood up and asked the deputy chairman, “The minister’s words should be put on the record so that we can ask him again next month,” Bangash said.

Being asked the same question again and again seemed to confuse the minister, who grew less sure of himself each time he reiterated the May 31 deadline.