It’s another somber day at Punjab Assembly

Raja Riaz, Sanaullah again differ on security protocols.

LAHORE: The provincial assembly saw another slow yet solemn day on Friday. The agenda had been suspended as the session was devoted to “condemning the brutal murder of the governor”, as the acting speaker of the House noted.

However, the gloomy atmosphere did not stop the PPP MPAs, particularly Raja Riaz, from pointing fingers, once again, at the Punjab government. Addressing the House he questioned the difference in the security of the governor and the chief minister. Raja Riaz criticised the Punjab government’s stance that Islamabad Police was supposed to provide security to the late governor.

“Why the difference in treatment? When the chief minister visits Islamabad the Punjab Police provides him security,” the minister asked. “The Punjab Police was responsible for the governor’s security,” he repeated, adding, “Why did the security guards not stop Qadri when he was shooting at the governor?”

Raja Riaz expressed confidence in the probe that the federal agencies, the ISI and the IB are conducting, “The killers will be unveiled,” he said.

He asserted once again that religion had nothing to do with the assassination.

PML-Q’s Dr Samia Amjad said that the PML-Q did not want any changes in the blasphemy law. “Neither do we want the death penalty abolished. But no one should be allowed to take the law in their own hand, in the name of religion,” the legislator said.

The provincial law minister, Rana Sanaullah, praised Salmaan Taseer as a politician. “We had differences with him because we were against his interference in government affairs. But he was a great political worker, a vital member of his party. We pray that God gives him a place in Heaven,” the minister said.

About Mumtaz Qadri, the law minister said he had been moved from Punjab Constabulary to the Special Branch because the latter was short of personnel. “During screening Mumtaz Qadri and 10 others were declared unfit for duty. In May, Qadri was selected for the Elite Force and after a six-month training went to Rawalpindi,” the House was told.

Sanaullah maintained that the Islamabad Police had to provide security to the governor. “It’s in the blue book. Our committee is looking into where Islamabad Police and Rangers were at the time,” he said. Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan, the acting speaker, adjourned the session until January 10 at 3 pm.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2011.