Amid news of a successful surgery on Malala Yousafzai, lawmakers in parliament on Wednesday rose above petty differences and unanimously passed a resolution condemning the attack on the girl and sought “exemplary punishment” to the perpetrators of the crime.
The resolution was read out by Minister for Law Farooq Naik as the House saluted the services and courage of Malala.
Emotional scenes were witnessed during the debate over the attack on Malala, as PML-Q legislator Bushra Rehman broke into tears while praying for the early recovery of the innocent child, while others called for formulation of a collective strategy to eliminate the scourge of militancy and terrorism from the country.
Though the resolution was adopted unanimously, most of the lawmakers called for implementing it and getting united to help restore the government’s writ.
“This House salutes the great services of Malala Yousafzai. The whole nation is of proud of her and condemns the incident in which Malala was injured along with two fellow students Shazia and Kainaat.”
“The House also pledged to continue fighting terrorism until it was rooted out from the country and demanded the government to bear all expenses of the treatment of the injured students … and award exemplary punishment to those involved in this heinous crime,” the resolution said.
Naik called the attack on Malala un-Islamic, barbaric and inhuman, adding that “the incident called upon us to sit together and ponder where we are leading”.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar denounced the attack, terming it a wakeup call for the nation. “It demands of us to stand united against the curse of terrorism … this incident also provides us an opportunity to manifest national cohesion and unity against the conspiracies being hatched against the country.” She criticised those busy in justifying this incident and called upon the House and the nation to discourage these forces. Wasim Akhtar of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) made an emotional speech over the attack, saying no other business should be taken up other than debating the attack on the minor girl.
He demanded the NA Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi suspend rules and instead of question hour, the attack on Malala be discussed. “Until when will we keep collecting bodies of our beloved? Why law enforcement agencies are not taking action against the perpetrators despite taking hefty funds in the name of security?” he argued.
Barjees Tahir of the PML-N also supported the idea and said rules should be suspended to take up the attack on Malala.
PPP’s Syed Khursheed Shah backed the proposal and said a joint resolution would be passed following the debate. Later, he moved a motion to suspend the Question Hour to start debate on the attack. Bushra Rehman questioned why the 14-year-old girl was not provided security. “This is about time and we would all have to think and work jointly to purge our country of these rascals … this debate should not end here and we would have to work out a strategy to save the future of our daughters … the president and prime minister should come forth and tell the nation their plan of action,” she said.
Shazia Marri of the PPP said Pakistan was a liberal country and the forces trying to tag it a terrorist country would be defeated. “This fight would continue despite these attacks … the family of Malala has not been defeated … a unanimous resolution would help send a strong message to the terrorists,” she maintained.
Shaikh Rohail Asghar of the PML-N said attacking children in the name of Islam was condemnable as brutality had nothing to do with religion. Khush Bakht Shujaat of the MQM said Malala questioned the entire nation and its government, law enforcers why she was not provided security. She said it was heartening to note that strong voices were being raised after the attack on the girl. She said that the attack on Malala was actually an attack on Islam, humanity and knowledge.
Pervez Khan of the Awami National Party (ANP) said attacking a child was tantamount to an attack on humanity. He said despite being a secular political party, the ANP leadership had negotiated with the militants for enforcement of Shariah law.
Khwaja Saad Rafique of the PML-N said attacking the child was a conspiracy against Islam. He said the attack was a bid to end the quest for knowledge and the country needed to evolve a joint strategy to purge the country of terrorism.
Yasmin Rehman of the PPP called the attack un-Islamic and said the girl had not only raised voice against militancy but had also been writing against Taliban rule with pen-name “Gul Makai” to keep on the quest for knowledge. Lawmakers from the JUI-F, however, differed, as Asia Nasir strongly condemned the attack but Attaur Rehman, younger brother of Fazlur Rehman, made a failed attempt to justify the attack. Though Rehman condemned the incident and termed it inhuman, he said when innocent people were killed by western forces, the logic of such attacks gained strength. Areesh Kumar also paid rich tribute to Malala and strongly condemned the attack on her life. He said the problems would not be resolved without devising a concrete plan. Kishwar Zehra paid rich tribute to Malala and said the mindset that wished to destroy Pakistan was involved in this heinous act.
Fauzia Habib said Malala was ambassador of education and earned name for the country in the comity of the nation. Ayaz Amir urged clerics to issue a decree against those who were involved in attacking innocent people and mosques. He also requested them to lead the nation in the right direction.
NA unanimous on weeding out terrorists
