That political office has often been used as an instrument of loot and plunder is a fact well known, but it has also served vested interests and been a means to settle personal scores. The latest example of this kind of abuse can be seen in the shenanigans of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Privatisation, which is presided over by Saleem Mandviwala, a former minister of state for investment. He also very briefly held the title of federal minister for finance in 2013. Mr Mandviwala has some very specific grievances directed against Mr Mian Mansha, one of Pakistan’s most notable businessmen, recognised as one of the country’s leading lights when it comes to business acumen and industry. The Senate committee, unfortunately, instead of deliberating on the welfare of the masses and using its advantageous platform for societal benefit, is now being used by Mr Mandviwala to settle old scores. This is because Mr Mandviwala was the owner of a cinema house in Karachi that was burnt down by a violent mob in 2012 during a rally against blasphemous cartoons; Mandviwala’s cinema house was collateral damage that day. It was insured by Adamjee Insurance, a Mansha family-owned concern. The insurance company refused to entertain Mr Mandviwala’s claim of Rs 89 million because his insurance policy did not cover instances of terrorism, which is how the arson was seen. That seems to have been enough for Mr Mansha to have gained the ex-minister’s ire, a grudge that keeps rearing its ugly head in the Senate committee, an inappropriate venue for revenge. Joining in this chorus against Mr Mansha is Senator Saeed Ghani. He used to be an employee of Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB) but was dishonourably discharged after partaking in violent trade union activities and beating up an employee from the human resource department. Hence, Mr Ghani also has an axe to grind. Both these men have been reported as using the Senate committee to defame and abuse Mr Mansha and his concerns. Personal grudges should remain just that: personal. The fact that a platform as high and prominent as the Senate is being used to bring out this kind of ugly hostility is a conflict of interest. Senators are supposed to uphold the dignity of their office, the integrity of the Constitution and follow certain ethical and moral standards. What Mr Mandviwala and Mr Ghani are doing on state time and money is unacceptable. If they persist in their campaign, perhaps the Senate should consider recalling them from the committee they are besmirching.*