Shortcomings: Not possible to provide security to each school: CM

KARACHI:

Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said during the assembly session on Friday that it would be difficult for his government to provide security to each school in Sindh but they are making all efforts to protect the educational institutions.

Responding to opposition leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan’s point of order on the three grenade attacks in Karachi, he said, “We condemn this incident. There are more than 40,000 schools in Sindh and we cannot deploy police and Rangers at each school given the shortage [of manpower].” He added that the terrorists managed to flee from the scene. “These are our children and it is our duty to protect them. I assure you that the government will arrest the attackers.” According to him, the law and order situation in Sindh is better than Khyber-Pakhunkhwa and Punjab. He vowed that his government will continue the operation until the last terrorist is eliminated.

Earlier, Hasan diverted the attention of the House toward the blasts in Karachi. “Where is your security plan? We want to discuss this issue in the assembly.” Senior minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro suggested Khawaja move an adjournment motion. “We know about it and security policy is in the making,” he said.

During the session, Pakistan Muslim League - Functional MPA Nusrat Seher Abbasi moved a privilege motion and said that the government departments do not implement resolutions passed by the assembly. She referred to a resolution adopted by the House in 2013. “The department is supposed to respond and take action within 30 days.” Khuhro admitted the government’s fault and asked the deputy speaker to give a ruling that every department should respond to assembly resolutions within 30 days.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th, 2016.