Members of the Lower House of parliament on Monday adopted an aggressive stance over Saturday’s bombing in Quetta that left at least 85 people dead and questioned the performance of the country’s security agencies.
PPP MNA Syed Nasir Ali Shah and Muttahida Qaumi Movement parliamentarians staged a walkout from the session over the issue, as strong verbal clashes were witnessed between PML-N members and Federal Minister Sheikh Waqas Akram.
The 49th session of the National Assembly was chaired by Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi, during which a debate on the recent Quetta bombing targeting Hazara Shias took place.
On a point of order, PPP MNA Syed Nasir Ali Shah hit the government and the authorities concerned hard for the worsening law and order in Balochistan, saying “with every passing day, the government is getting weaker and the terrorists are getting stronger”.
“Forty days have not passed since the deadly Alamdar Road blasts and another tragic incident has taken place. The government seems utterly helpless.”
He said the people did not want shelter, clothing and food anymore but peace and protection of life, as no effective measures had been adopted against the targeted killings of Hazaras.
He announced to start a hunger strike until death unless the Hazara genocide issue was redressed, staging a walkout from the National Assembly session.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl leader Maulana Attaur Rehman said the country was being pushed towards division and the situation was not much different compared to 1971, adding that most of these “things” were being done to delay the polls.
“After the Alamdar Road blasts, we had mentioned that the serious acts were being conducted against the Hazara community in Balochistan, however, our words were not taken seriously,” he said.
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s Chief Whip Riaz Hussain Pirzadah said human blood was being spilled in the country’s streets without remorse.
The senior politician suggested handing over the charge of various agencies to Almas Bobi, the renowned leader of eunuchs, as it was no more in the hands of the government.
Justice (r) Fakharunnisa Khokhar said she was continually being harassed and threatened over telephone.
Rana Tanvir from the PML-N was of the view that the imposition of the governor’s rule in the province gave an impression of improvement in the overall security situation in Balochistan, however, nothing had improved.
Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao seconded the statement, adding that it appeared that only Almighty Allah could protect the country now.
Bushra Gohar said no action was taken against anyone despite imposition of Governor’s Rule in Balochistan and the governor should post his resignation rather than expressing his helplessness before the media.
The ANP leader said the FC should have been removed right after the previous bombings on Alamdar Road and the resignations should be summoned from the heads of the security and intelligence agencies who failed to meet their duties.
She also urged the House to sit with the aggrieved families rather than occupying luxurious chairs in the House.
MQM’s Sheikh Salahuddin said law enforcement and intelligence agencies had failed in providing protection to the people, despite the fact that the nation gave them billions of rupees in taxes.
PPP’s Public Accounts Committee Chairman Nadeem Afzal Gondal questioned foreign involvement claimed by the government, saying why people were kept in the dark on the names of those behind these incidents.
He said the country was being run as a security state and the concept of welfare state had flopped.
Federal Minister Sheikh Waqas Akram flayed the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and said no one was ready to name the banned outfit involved in such incidents, rather politicians were providing shelter and political support to LeJ.
“About 68 LeJ terrorists are in prisons in Balochistan, however, no action was taken against them, delivering speeches cannot resolve the issue,” he added.
His remarks led to an exchange of heated remarks between him and PML-N members, including Rana Tanvir Ahmed, Rana Nazir Ahmed, Malik Shakeel Awan and begum Sheeren Arshad.
Hazara genocide has been going on unabated and as expected the affected group is demanding army to take over Quetta city. The way things are moving in Pakistan the only outcome will be military rule to save Pakistani's and Pakistan from terrorists, politicians and all sorts of Mafia. Lesser evil will be more acceptable to people than the revenge of democracy which has become unbearable.
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