Molla’s hanging: NA speaker blocks JI resolution

ISLAMABAD:

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq did not allow lawmakers from Jamaat-e-Islami to table a resolution condemning the execution of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh leader Abdul Quader Molla in Dhaka.

“We cannot support a condemnation resolution [against this act of capital punishment] or allow you to table a resolution in the National Assembly,” said Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Riaz Pirzada to Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan MNA Sahibzada Tariqullah.

“This is a matter of two countries’ relations and we cannot allow tabling of a condemnation resolution when the prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, is not present,” he added.

During the course of proceedings, when the house witnessed a debate on the deteriorating law and order situation, the speaker advised JI lawmakers to take up the issue with Aziz on Monday.

Despite assurance from the JI MNAs that their move enjoyed support from all political parties, they were advised “to consult the lawmakers sitting on the treasury benches”.

“Molla’s unflinching spirit is commendable,” Tariqullah said. “His execution at the hands of a ‘slanted’ war tribunal is nothing but a mockery of justice.”

The house continued a debate on law and order, PPP lawmaker Ijaz Jakhrani urged the government to resume its proposed talks with militants. “Take the initiative to control the bloody militancy,” he said. “The largest opposition party, the PPP, stands by you.”

PTI President Javed Hashmi stressed the need for ‘unity’ to save the country and expressed concerns over the increasing incidents of kidnapping for ransom in Punjab, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta.

Even the capital, he said, was not a safe city. “It’s our collective responsibility to get rid of this monster, terrorism,” he added.

PML-N MNA Khusro Bakhtiar urged the government to expand intelligence agencies’ budgets to enable improved intelligence gathering.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2013.