May 12, 2007 mayhem: Senators stage walkout in token protest

PPP Senator Raza Rabbani describes the day as 'one of the blackest days' in recent history.

ISLAMABAD:

In an unusual development, lawmakers from both opposition and treasury benches on Monday staged a walkout from the Senate in a token protest against the May 2007 killings in Karachi.

On a point of order, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Raza Rabbani drew the attention of the house to the happenings of May 12, describing it as ‘one of the blackest days’ in recent history. He held former military ruler Pervez Musharraf and his allies responsible for the bloodbath on that fateful day.

Recalling the May 12 mayhem, PML-N Senator Mushahidullah Khan said that he was caught in cross-fire and his life, along with Raza Rabbani, Nisar Khuhro and others, was saved by Awami National Party’s Shahi Syed.

Maulana Ghafoor Haideri of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl said that it was time for the democratic forces to unite. However, Shahi Syed said that despite the lapse of seven years, the record had not been set straight. He demanded a judicial inquiry into the May 12 bloodshed, while calling upon all senators to join him in a token protest.

The entire house joined him in his protest, leaving an unusual scene where only the chairman remained in the house.

When the session resumed, MQM Senator Nasreen Jalil said it seemed from the tone of the house that the party was to blame.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2014.