Chaudhry Aslam Khan (L) and Aitizaz Hasan (R). PHOTOS: AGENCIES
Lawmakers in the upper house of parliament on Friday paid glowing tributes to one of the bravest officers of Sindh police, Chaudhry Aslam Khan, who was killed in a bomb attack in Karachi a day earlier. They also paid tributes to Aitizaz Hasan, a teenager who had thwarted a suicide attack at his school in Hangu district at the cost of his own life.
Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Saeed Ghani moved a resolution in the Senate which was unanimously passed by lawmakers from all political parties. The resolution condemned the attack on Chaudhry Aslam as an ‘inhumane act’ and demanded foolproof security for the family of the late policeman and other police officers fighting militancy in Karachi. The house also offered Fateha for the departed souls.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senator Muhammad Hamza called upon the house to recommend Chaudhry Aslam’s name for the country’s highest civil award.
Senators from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Awami National Party said that Chaudahry Asalm’s assassination showed that the Sindh government has failed to establish its writ in the province.
“Karachi seems to be on the verge of collapse only due to the government’s inaction. The provincial government has miserably failed to take stern action against the Taliban and other militant groups in the metropolis,” said ANP Senator Shahi Sayed. He demanded the federal government launch a military operation to put an end to Talibanisation in Karachi.
MQM and ANP senators also staged a walkout from the house over the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi, especially the targeted killing of political workers.
MQM lawmaker Col (retd) Syed Tahir Mashhadi claimed that 150 workers of his party had been killed in the city. “I can say that Karachi is no more worth living and I don’t know where to go,” he added.
Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)
In other proceedings, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed assured the house that once finalised the annual report of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) would be made public.
Replying to a question, the minister said the government would continue the programme, initiated by the PPP government, in view of its benefits.
The minister also presented the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 before the house, which was subsequently sent to the relevant standing committee. The house was adjourned to meet on Monday at 3:30pm.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2014.
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