Resolution passed: NA pays tribute to Defence Day martyrs

Lawmakers express concern over military’s role.


Azam Khan September 07, 2012

ISLAMABAD:


While the National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on Defence Day to pay tribute to those killed in the line of duty, not all parliamentarians were at ease with the military.


In the absence of some significant members, including the prime minister and the opposition leader, the National Assembly consumed most of Thursday’s session discussing the significance of the day.

With a focus on making the defence of the country strong, lawmakers agreed that unity was the solution to address the prevailing law and order situation.

However, some MNAs also spoke out against the country’s armed forces. Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Zafar Ali Shah criticised the commercial ventures of the armed forces, saying that acquiring land and developing housing societies in the name of defence was not the job of the army.

He also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the army from Balochistan. Shah regretted that ‘a few’ generals of the army had caused damage to the unity of the armed forces. Many countries were created even after Pakistan, yet, today they are counted among the developed nations, he added.

Another ruling party member, Akhunzada Chittan, said that people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, his home province, were being dealt as foreign nationals and have begun considering the Pakistan Army as their enemy.

Lawmaker Pervez Khan of the Awami National Party (ANP) was of the view that war was not a viable option. “Let us condemn war; all issues should be resolved peacefully,” he said.

On the other hand, MNA Akram Gil highlighted Cecil Chaudhry’s bravery during the 1965 war, and urged everyone to follow the path of unanimity as Pakistanis.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik appeared to be on a different tangent, speaking up, once again, about conspiracies against the country.

Malik said the country’s nuclear programme was the real bone of contention, and added that he would soon unearth the conspiracy being hatched against the country’s nuclear assets.

He also pointed out that Afghan militant commander Fazlullah was training his men to launch terrorists attacks in Pakistan. “There are many things I cannot say on camera but the purposes of all these efforts are to prove Pakistan as a failed state and destabilise the current government,” Malik claimed. He also informed the house that about reports that more attacks were being planned to hit Peshawar.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2012.

COMMENTS (4)

Sultan Ahmed. | 11 years ago | Reply

Pakistan Army is a only institution in the country which has admirable traditions and remarkable historic role in the history.

As for as dirty eggs is concerned it is found every where in the world.it is need of the time to break them all by a sweeping operation.

Sultan Ahmed. | 11 years ago | Reply

Another ruling party member, Akhunzada Chittan, said that people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, his home province, were being dealt as foreign nationals and have begun considering the Pakistan Army as their enemy.

The statement as above written is highly concerned,Leadership of the armed forces must draw their attention on the military behave.and put the train on the right direction.

Time is running out,Bluchistan will insha Allah remained part of Pakistan.No power on the earth can dismember it from Islamic Republic Of Pakistan.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ