Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon enjoys a laugh with MQM MPAs during the assembly session on Monday. PHOTO: RASHID AJMERI/EXPRESS
In a Sindh Assembly session on Monday, majority of the members of the provincial assembly (MPAs) demanded the federal government should revisit its policy of dialogue with the Taliban and start action against extremist elements without any delay.
This decision came in the aftermath of the Sunday’s barbaric suicide attacks on a church in Peshawar’s Kohati gate area. The assembly also adopted a resolution unanimously condemning the attack and demanding the perpetrators be dealt with an iron hand and given exemplary punishment.
In a joint resolution, lawmakers of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP), the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said, “In this hour of grief, we stand in solidarity with our fellow Pakistan Christian brethren and pledge to continue our fight against terrorism and work towards a progressive, peaceful Pakistan as envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.”
Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani of the PPP, Arif Masih Bhatti of the MQM and Nusrat Seher Abbasi of the PML-F were among other movers of the resolution.
The opposition leader in the provincial assembly, MQM’s Faisal Subzwari, while terming the dialogue with the extremists a vicious circle, said, “It is high time to stand up against these terrorists.”
He said Pakistan had a minority population of 22 per cent at the time of independence and this figure has now reduced to only three per cent because of the attacks on their lives and properties. “The wave of terrorism is not because of drone attacks, but these terrorists are operating to destabilise the country,” he said.
Senior Minister for education, PPP’s Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, said, “A targeted operation has started in Karachi against the criminals, but the prime minister is still willing to give more time to terrorists. We should go beyond the process of dialogue,” he added.
Khuhro alleged that the PML-N leaders have a soft corner for the terrorists. “It is not possible for the PML-N led government to start an operation against terrorists as they had given the party a level-playing field in the last general elections.”
He was of the view that some people and parties were afraid of taking action against the Taliban. “I appreciate the members of this house who have talked against Mullah Umar and his people.”
Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon demanded the parties who had attended the all parties’ conference to revisit the decision of negotiating with Taliban, who, according to him, have broken a number of promises. “We have lost our leaders, including Benazir Bhutto, but some parties are using the terrorists in their favour,” he lamented.
Mehtab Akbar Rashdi of the PML-F suggested that all members in the house should avoid using the word “minority” for non-Muslims, adding that the ongoing war in the country could also affect the next generation. “We should devise a policy against these elements and implement the same rather than making hollow promises and speeches.”
‘PTI is misunderstood’
While condemning the incident, PTI MPAs stressed the need to continue the process of dialogue. “These attacks have started in the wake of drone strikes in Pakistan, in which thousands of innocent people have been killed. The attack on the church is yet another conspiracy to derail the ongoing negotiation process,” said PTI’s Khurrum Sher Zaman.
PTI’s Dr Seema Zia was of the view that negotiation with the Taliban was the last warning to them. “Our party’s viewpoint is being taken out of context. We are not supporting Jihadi elements, but we don’t want to indulge in a civil war like situation in the country by starting bloodshed.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 24th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (7)
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The article is about PPP, MQM....From where PTI came in this picture ?
The PTI stance is really being misunderstood. Giving a chance to negotiations is not a bad choice, even in tge current situation. It shall serve as a last warning to these perpetrators and would surely cause fractures with in them. Some of them might dissociate and others will be marginalized to be handled with an iron fist. At present we all are shouting loud but truely ask your self that at what stage we have been so serious to address the issue of terrorism. Most of our rulling elite remained committed in looting and plundering. The only institution, which kept trying to address the issues was Armed Forces. That too remained a victim of criticism and negative propaganda at home. So, now is the time to clearly think and be decisive in your final resolve. Our forces are capable and just need the moral backing of its nation. If are patriotic, the mere action needed by us is to stand behind our beloved forces. Pakistan Zindabad. Pakistan Paindabad. Amin
PTI should at least condemn the terrorists for the church attacks.
Where is our Prime Minister, the symbol of Solidarity?!
People are being killed and still support dialogue.Good PTI good I back your stupid thinking. You are doing to save your self from the cruelty of taliban.
They are not well wishers of Pakistan. We must talk with those elements of militants who are willing to talk and use force against those who are not. That is it. PPP, MQM and others are not going to help the country in getting out of this mess yet they want to plunge our country further into mess. I reject PPP, MQM stance on 'talks with Taliban'
Thank God for these 3 parties