Balochistan Assembly slams anti-ISI campaign

Resolution condemns attack on Hamid Mir, but decries elements trying to smear government institutions.

QUETTA:

The Balochistan Assembly adopted a resolution with 18 members in attendance on Wednesday, condemning the recent criticism of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief, national institutions and the Ministry of Defence. 

Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti, who belongs to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, tabled the resolution, which stated that the government appreciates the formation of a commission to investigate the attempted murder of journalist Hamid Mir, but it is condemnable that national institutions, ISI and its chief General Zaheerul Islam are being blamed.

“The criticism of the ISI chief and defence institutions provide an opportunity to the enemies of Pakistan to paint a negative image of the country,” Bugti stated.

Without naming any media outlet, he said a media group had been trying to make the role and sacrifices of the provincial and national institutions in Balochistan controversial.

The house condemns the elements trying to smear government institutions and its people, who have sacrificed their lives to retain peace.

The resolution was unanimously adopted by the house that had only 18 out of 65 members in attendance.

PML-N and PML-Q members praised the performance of the security forces in Balochistan.

Earlier, the members of the ruling National Party (NP) and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) walked out from the proceedings. The context of this protest was that while the home minister was moving the resolution, Information Minister Rahim Ziaratwal interrupted him, causing uproar in the assembly. “There is no need to table a resolution as the government had already formed a commission to probe into the incident. Bringing a condemnation resolution is a violation of the Balochistan Assembly Rules of Procedure under 105,” Ziaratwal told the house.

Deputy Speaker Qudoos Bizenjo passed the ruling that under the Rule of Procedure 226, a member can bring a condemnation resolution.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2014.