Senate panel condemns Data Darbar blast

Senator Malik seeks answers from FIA DG over involvement of Chinese in illegal marriages

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Friday passed a resolution strongly condemning the bomb blast outside the famous Data Darbar shrine, Lahore on Wednesday wherein 12 innocent people, including five policemen, were martyred and more than 20 injured.

The committee offered Fateha for the departed souls and extended heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families of the martyrs.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Rehman Malik at the Parliament House and attended by senators Dr Shahzad Wasim, Mian M Ateeq Shaikh, Rana Maqbool, Kalsoom Parveen, Muhammad Javed Abbasi, Muhammad Asad Ali Khan Junejo, Muhammad Talha Mehmood and Sardar Shafiq Tareen.



The meeting was also attended by federal interior secretary, additional secretary, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Frontier Corps inspector general, Balochistan FC commandant, Islamabad deputy commissioner and other senior officials of CDA and the Ministry of Interior.

Senator Malik had passed the resolution.

At the onset, Senator Malik said, “Our hearts and souls are with the victim families of Data Darbar, Lahore blasts and we share their pain and sorrow.”

He said, “The new wave of terrorism is of great concern and the involvement of hostile countries behind such attacks cannot be ignored.”

The committee demanded of the Punjab government to investigate the incident to find out the handlers, facilitators and terrorist networks behind the tragic incident.

Balochistan DIG FC North Brig Furqan Moazam briefed the committee in detail on the budget allocations and financial requirements for the projects to be undertaken during financial year 2019-20.



He said the budget planned for FY 2019-20 was aimed at enhancement of force protection and combatting efficiency, maintenance and repair of solider accommodations.

He briefed the committee that the increase in budget allocations 2019-20 was justified because of 10% increase in overall budget as compared to last financial year budget due to increase in employment related expenses and also 10% decrease in recurring/operating expenses as compared to last financial year.

Senator Malik highly appreciated the FC's role in maintaining peace and combating terrorism in Balochistan.

On involvement of Chinese nationals in illegal marriages with Pakistani girls, Senator Malik informed the committee that he had taken notice of the media reports on May 7, 2019, regarding involvement of Chinese nationals in human trafficking and marrying Pakistani girls with the help of local agents and forcing them into prostitution.

He told the committee that this (Friday) morning the officials of FIA briefed him in detail about the illegal marriage of Pakistani girls with Chinese citizens; however, as the matter was still under way; therefore, the FIA would brief the committee in next meeting.

Malik emphasised the need for establishment of a Regulatory Authority for Marriage Bureaus through enactment.

He said a letter had already been written to the FIA DG, asking him to submit a complete report on the recent raids conducted by FIA in connections with illegal/legal marriages between Chinese nationals and Pakistani girls.

It is also asked that who mediated these marriages and what procedure was followed for Nikah/marriage registration etc. Name and details of the marriage bureaus in Pakistan involved in these marriages. The name of the owner of the bureau and the staff involved in this business.

Details of number of cases where the Chinese have been cheated and number of cases where girls have been cheated with the abetment of marriage bureaus.