Senate passes resolution denouncing attack on Malala

Demanding the government decide whether to stand by or fight against the ideology that killed Malala Yousufzai, the Upper House of parliament on Wednesday passed a unanimous resolution denouncing Taliban’s bid to kill the brave teenage peace and education activist.
Suspending the business of the House, Senator Zahid Khan from the Awami National Party (ANP) tabled the motion that denounced the attack on Malala as a barbaric and inhuman act that also earned disrespect for the country.
The resolution that was adopted unanimously by the Senate also called for praying for the health of Malala, who was in critical condition. The House urged the government to decide finally whether to rely on statements only or to adopt practical measures against terrorism and extremism. Later, debating on the issue, Senator Haji Adeel from the ANP said around 35,000 civilians and 8,000 military personnel had lost their lives fighting against the forces that shot the innocent minor. He said it was shameful that the brutal incident was conducted in the name of Islam, the religion that prohibited victimising women, children and elderly people.
He feared that the country would be driven to destruction if the government delayed making a decision to get rid of hypocrisy and countering terrorism in the real sense. Senator Rubina Khalid was of the view that condemning the incident was insufficient unless something concrete was done to counter terrorists and extremists.
Senator Saeed Ghani was of the view that by targeting Malala, the terrorists had delivered a message to the international community they were powerful enough to do whatever they wanted to. Mir Hasil Khan Bazinjo said the attack was the birth of the legacy by the generals, dictators, clerics and extremists, might that incident open the eyes of those behind such forces. Stressing to separate the religion from the state, Bazinjo said the state was still promoting the extremism and sectarianism which would result in more violence and bloodshed in the future.
The senior politician said Iran and Saudi Arabia were fighting their proxy wars in Quetta in which both sides were financiering their blue-eyed, which was also the reason why Hazaras were being killed there. Senator Mushahidullah Khan from the PML-N said no one could kill Malala as she was not a girl but an ideology with love for freedom and education. Denouncing the tragic incident, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Ishaq Dar said PEMRA should be directed to educate people on countering terrorism.
PPP Senator Aitizaz Ahsan said it was time the nation learnt its lesson. Senator Shahi Syed said agencies were responsible for the promotion of extremism as their silence in the beginning provided a chance to anti-state elements to strengthen themselves. Senator Raza Rabbani said practical measures should be adopted to restrict those behind it. ANP Senator Afrasiyab Khatak said under the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal’s (MMA) rule in KP during 2005, over 30 FM radio stations were launched by the extremists, around 10,000 militants were trained and huge cache of arms and ammunition were smuggled to Swat and FATA. Paying tribute to Malala, Khatak said it was time the policies were revised. MQM Senator Tahir Mashhadi said those who attacked Malala were cowards. Interior Minister Rehman Malik demanded the House stop using the word Taliban and replace it with Zalimans through a motion, declaring the Taliban non-Muslims. He informed the House that doctors had assured him that Malala was out of danger, would now be sent to Dubai or Germany for treatment if needed and permitted by the doctors.