NA backs military trial of May 9 rioters

Senate also condemns violence; pays rich tributes to armed forces

ISLAMABAD:

 

The National Assembly and the Senate on Monday passed separate resolutions condemning the May 9 violence across the country in which several government buildings, including military installations, were attacked.

The resolutions, without mentioning the name of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf or its chairman, slammed “a political party” for crossing all limits and flouting the Constitution in its actions against the national security institutions.

The National Assembly resolution, moved by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, demanded that the cases against the perpetrators be tried under the Army Act. It stressed that allegations of violation of human rights in this regard were baseless.

Asif said that a political party and its chairman while flouting the Constitution of Pakistan and the law, crossed all limits in their actions against national security institutions, adding that the perpetrators of the May 9 tragedy be tried under the Army Act.

“The actions of this political party and its leader caused irreparable damage to the country, state and state institutions,” the resolution said, stressing that action should be taken against them without even a single-day delay.
According to the text of the resolution, the agenda of this party and its leader was based on hostility towards the country.

“Other leaders and workers of that party are also unable to bear the burden of the anti-Pakistan activities of this party and its leader,” it added. “The house declares that no human rights were violated during the action against the evil and criminal elements and the accusations and propaganda of a political party in this regard are based on falsehood, lies and slander.”

The resolution pointed out forces around the world had the authority to take action against those who were involved in attacking military installations. “Therefore, those who are involved in these incidents should be punished under the Pakistan Army Act 1952 without delay.”

However, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) opposed the military trial of civilians. JI MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali asked whether the government and the judiciary had failed.

“The Jamaat-e-Islami opposes the demands of conducting trials in military courts,” Chitrali told the house. However, Defence Minister Asif replied: “We have not made any new law [for the trials of the culprits].”

The minister said that an attempt was made to torch 85 jets at the PAF base in Mianwali. “How could one tolerate the insult of the martyrs? We believe that our institutions have become polarised, our institutions were attacked from inside or from outside,” he added.

Senate resolution

In a unanimous resolution moved by Minister of State for Law Shahadat Awan, the Senate paid tribute to the armed forces for their unparalleled role in safeguarding the nation against both external and internal threats. The resolution strongly condemned the shocking and distressing acts of vandalism and arson that occurred on May 9.

It demanded that those who were responsible for planning, facilitating, and instigating those attacks be brought to justice. In a show of unwavering support and solidarity, the Senate extended its backing to the armed forces and other security agencies in the aftermath of this unfortunate incident. The resolution also expressed solidarity with the families of the martyrs.

On the resolution, Senator Asif Kirmani critcised the opposition, asking the opposition leader about the PTI government’s promise of provision of five million houses and 10 million jobs.

“Pakistan Army is our red line and the May 9 attacks showed their fascist face,” he said amid a noisy protest from the PTI lawmakers in the upper house of parliament. There were also heated exchanges between the PTI lawmakers and Kirmani.

Budget
Meanwhile, the Senate started the budget debate. Opposition Leader Dr Shehzad Wasim challenged the budget figures, saying that the Economic Survey 2023 showed the government’s one-year performance.

Wasim said that the “so-called experienced government of 13 parties had failed in every sector”, as in just one year, the GDP growth rate plummeted from 6% to an abysmal 0.29%. Besides, he added, inflation had reached 39%.
Senator Waleed Iqbal said that the budget has been presented but there was no money.

Senator Tahir Bizenjo said that he did not see anything for Balochistan in the budget.

Later, the session was adjourned till Tuesday afternoon.