Senate wants Dec 16 as Children’s Day

ISLAMABAD: The Senate unanimously passed a resolution on Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of the gruesome massacre at the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar calling upon the government to officially declare December 16 as ‘Pakistan Children’s Day’.

However, the opposition censured the government over lackadaisical progress on a 20-point National Action Plan (NAP) which was formulated in the aftermath of the APS attack that claimed the lives of 122 children, 22 staff and three army soldiers.

Upper house proceedings started on a high note with the day’s agenda suspended so that lawmakers could pay tributes to the APS martyrs and to the resilience the nation had showed in the face of the national tragedy.

However, the proceedings were marred by absenteeism – at one point there were only 20 senators present in the house – 12 of them on the treasury benches.

The debate soon moved to the implementation of NAP with Senators Sherry Rehman and Azam Khan Musakhel raising questions as Saeed Ghani discussed progress on each of the 20 points.

Opposition Leader Aitzaz Ahsan then took the issue to the next level when he termed the government’s ‘inaction’ in implementing the NAP an ‘APS-like tragedy’ while announcing a walkout from the house.

Although Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, the only minister present in the house, described Ahsan’s comments unfair, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s own Senator Nisar Muhammad also criticised the government for its ‘lack of seriousness’.

“The government would have made sure every single member was present [in the house] if it wanted to get a bill passed,” Senator Nisar said. His views were echoed by fellow treasury member Salim Zia who said all senators should have taken Wednesday’s proceedings more seriously.

During the debate, lawmakers acknowledged the military’s role in launching Operation Zarb-e-Azb and the restoration of peace after the launch of NAP, but called for more ‘concrete action’ to wipe out terrorism from the country.

“One year after the APS attack, what actions have been taken to ensure such a tragedy will not be repeated?” asked Senator Rehman.

“Why has the demand of the APS victims’ parents for a judicial inquiry not been respected? What has happened to the 15 committees announced after the post-APS attack all parties’ conference on NAP? Why has Nacta [National Counter-Terrorism Authority] not been funded in the budget or taken seriously? “Why are banned terrorist groups being allowed to re-surface in parts of Punjab with different names?” were some of the other questions she raised.

“The NAP is a long battle against terrorism and extremism that Pakistan is fighting alone. It cannot just be outsourced to the military,” Senator Rehman said. “There has to be a strong political commitment and leadership on this key issue, not just in memorial speeches. Our resolve must be total and unambiguous.”

Usman Kakar from the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party paid tribute to all children attacked by terrorists, from Malala Yousafzai to the APS martyrs, and said the government and national institutions were still not taking terrorism seriously. “There is too much focus on politics and point-scoring and not enough action.”

“The credit for the little bit of peace we see now in Pakistan should be given to the 147 APS martyrs and no one else; not the present government nor the army,” said Noman Wazir of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. “It was their [APS victims’] blood that brought the nation to this level and generated power behind Zarb-e-Azb.”

Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Tahir Mashhadi said: “We should admit that we have failed to protect our children.” He paid tribute to the army for launching Zarb-e-Azab, and said the NAP was a “well thought-out plan which he said should be implemented on a one-point agenda beyond party agendas and manifestos.”

Many senators blamed the policies of former president Pervez Musharraf for the rise of terrorism. PML-N Senator Ghous Niazi called for socially boycotting those promoting extremism in society.

The senators also remembered the fall of Dhaka and PML-N’s Nihal Hashmi suggested the Hamoodur Rehman Commission reports be published.

Text of Senate resolution

“The Senate of Pakistan places on record its deep sense of sorrow and grief over the barbaric and dastardly attack on the Army Public School, Peshawar on December 16, 2014.

“The Senate of Pakistan expresses its deep sense of appreciation and support, in the aftermath of the dastardly attack, in which innocent children and teachers were martyred, and the valiant armed forces of Pakistan, launched the military action against terrorists, by initiating the military operation in the form of Zarb-e-Azb, which has resulted in the elimination of a large number of terrorists and their hideouts.

“This house expresses its great sense of satisfaction and pride, at the national unity that has been demonstrated by the people of Pakistan, and resolves to combat and destroy all forms of terrorism.

“This House recommends to the government of Pakistan to: 1. Declare December 16 as ‘Pakistan Children’s Day’, 2. and that prayers be offered for the memory of the martyrs, and for the security and prosperity of Pakistan, on December 16 every year.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2015.