Senators demand parliament probe into Kakar’s death

Upper house adopts resolution eulogising late senator’s achievements

ISLAMABAD:

Senators, while raising suspicion over the ‘sudden death’ of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) leader and former senator Usman Khan Kakar, on Monday demanded constituting parliamentary committee to probe the death.

Senator Kamran Murtaza was the first one to raise the issue in the upper house of parliament, which has been holding budget debate. “Usman was alone when he fell in the house,” the senator said and added, “His family has described him as a martyr.”

Murtaza said Kakar’s family had demanded carrying out postmortem to determine the cause of his death. “This house has moral responsibility to form a parliamentary committee to probe the death.”

Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani informed the house that postmortem of late Usman Khan Kakar was underway on the request of his family.

Speaking on the floor of the House, Senator Muhammad Akram of the National Party claimed that Kakar would always say that he faced the biggest threat from certain security agencies.

The senator added that Kakar's sudden death may have “some background to it”.

Senator Saleem Mandviwala of the PPP said Kakar's family believed his death was a "murder". He said doctors were also skeptical about how such profuse bleeding in the head could be caused by a mere fall.

He demanded the Sindh and Balochistan governments to conduct a thorough investigation into his death.

PPP's Shahadat Awan also said that doubts were being raised about certain security agencies after the death of Usman Kakar.

Later, the Senate adopted a resolution to condole the sad demise. Maulana Faiz Muhammad led Fateha for the departed soul on the request of the chairman.

Senators lauded the unflinching commitment of the deceased to democracy, constitution, rule of law and supremacy of the Parliament.

Leader of the House in the Senate Dr. Shahzad Waseem said that the whole House was in grief due to sad demise of former Senator Usman Khan Kakar.

He also condoled with his family. Leader the opposition in the Senate Yusuf Raza Gilani said Senator Usman Kakar was highly respected political worker.

He also condoled with his family and party leaderships.  Minister for Railways Senator Azam Swati said despite ideological differences, he had a good relationship with Usman Kakar.

Read PkMAP’s Usman Khan Kakar is no more

He prayed for the elevation of the rank of Usman Kakar in paradise.

Parliamentary Leader of Pakistan Muslim league (PML-N) Senator Azam Nazir Tarar also paid a glowing tribute to the parliamentary services of Senator Usman.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said Senator Usman Kakar was very sincere with his party workers, adding that despite ideological differences on some issues, he was part of us.

He said that Usman Kakar had always spoken for the people of Balochistan.

PPPP Senator Sherry Rehman said that Usman Khan Kakar was very strong voice for the rights of people of his province. She said that he was also voice of the deprived people across the country.

Senator Manzoor Kakar said the sudden demise of Usman Khan Kakar was a national tragedy, adding he was a courageous leader.

Senator Raza Rabbani while condoling the death of Usman Kakar said that he was a true democratic, adding that we lost two great comrades Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo and Senator Usman Khan Kakar.

Senator Tahir Bizenjo said the death of Usman Kakar was a tragedy for Balochistan and was an honest leader. Senator Muzaffar Hussain on behalf of his party PML Functional, condoled sad demise of

Senator Usman Kakar. He termed his death a great loss for the country.

Senator Fida Muhammad appreciated the parliamentary services of  Usman Khan Kakar and condoled with his family. Senator Kamran Murtaza, Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi,  Senator Atta ur Rehman,

Senator Dilawar Khan, Senator Kuda Babar, Senator Rana Maqbool, Senator Nawabzada Umar Farooq, Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim, Senator Kamran Michael and Senator Muhammad Akram also spoke about various aspects of life and politics of late Usman Khan Kakar.

Later, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Yousaf Raza Gillani read a condolence resolution.With additional input from APP