Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE
The resolutions salute the security personnel who laid down their lives while protecting the country in the Karachi airport attack and condemn the act of terrorism and sectarianism in Taftan, Balochistan.
During today's session, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was briefing the House on the swift response by security forces to the Karachi airport, when he was informed by the Opposition about a fresh attack at the ASF Academy in Karachi earlier today.
Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Shah Mehmood Qureshi rose from his seat in the middle of the session, as did another parliamentarian, to bring to Nisar’s notice that there was another attack in Karachi.
The interior minister appeared a little taken aback about the news and after slight hesitation, continued to say that the country has been facing an extremely difficult situation for the last 13 years.
In his briefing, Nisar claimed that the first attack was launched at 11:05 pm Sunday night and that the terrorists entered the airport in two groups of five from separate gates.
The interior minister further added that the features of the assailants were not Pakistani, nor that of a neighbouring country (possibly referring to India), claiming that they were fair, tall and had light facial hair.
The minister highlighted the motives of the terrorists as wanting to negotiate a deal by holding people and assets hostage as they were carrying heavy backpacks with ration and dry fruits, indicating that they planned to make their operation last a while. However, they did not succeed in their plans.
He stated that the operation lasted two hours and 15 mins and the terrorists were killed by 1:45 am, after which combing operations took place.
Seven of the terrorists were shot, while three others blew themselves up.
Nisar informed the assembly that two intelligence alerts were given specifically for Karachi to the Sindh government and to law enforcers by the interior ministry. Since November, six security alerts were issued to the Sindh government, he added. He also questioned how such heavily-armed men could roam around the city in a HiAce (a minivan) without being stopped.
He added that all provinces along with the Centre should be on the same page and that everyone needs to be aware of their duties, roles and obligations.
“I could give a political speech, but this will be unfair to Pakistan -- finger pointing will be wrong,” he said. The interior minister further warned that this situation would not end overnight and we must be ready for the long haul.
He said we must be sensitive to the sacrifices of our countrymen so the dream of a peaceful Pakistan can be realised.
PTI's Qureshi thanked Nisar for taking the assembly into confidence and said the message of unity should go out to the forces of instability.
He added that according to media reports, it appears that the military and civilian leadership are not on the same page; this could be fictitious, but at this time, unity and confidence are required between institutions.
However, he pointed out that there was one case of criminal negligence involving the seven people who were trapped in the cold storage. He stated that it was because of one media house (Express) that this situation came to the fore and he questioned the presence of authorities and equipment during the rescue effort.
Praise for ASF
Interior Minister Nisar praised the courage of the Airport Security Force (ASF), which lost 11 men in Sunday's attack.
He stated that three ASF guards held off the terrorists for 15 minutes at the gate allowing other security forces to reach the site during that time and, thus, prevented the terrorists from succeeding in their plan to hold the area hostage and target airplanes.
The minister claimed the CCTV footage he saw of this rebuttal was awe-inspiring, with one ASF man being shot and down, but continuing to engage the terrorists.
He said the men did not spare anything to defend Pakistan.
COMMENTS (47)
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If you are denying PPP sacrifices against terrorism you are distorting history. BB her life for that cause. Who can forget sacrifices of ANP.How Ifthikhar son was killed by terrorist and martyrdom of Bashir Balour. Reham Malik always reached at venue of terrorism. Can you compare with CH Nasar. How you can down play heroic decisions of swat and South Waziristan. Please don’t equate these confused people with PPP and ANP.
@ Ch. Allah Daad, I think you haven't read my above comments regarding police, provinces and federation and the attitude of the federal government. This has been the attitude of the PML-N to let everything go as it is, which we saw during the PPP government that they never created any problem for the PPP which could have made PPP realize that there is a strong opposition which can even overthrow there government. The attitude has damaged the democracy a lot and now everything is going out of hand. PML-N also has to get out of this attitude of fighting with the army. They sided with a private Tv Channel against a state institution. Even if the army was wrong even then you cannot go against the state institution because that creates chaos and the writ of the state starts melting down. How will you stop these private armies like Taliban and other militant groups when you cannot stop a single private media group who is attacking your state institution so openly. We all have to realize that Pakistan is in grave danger. We have to get out of this tribal psyche of taking revenge and in fighting. Army is a part of state and federation. Governments come and go but these institutions remain. We have to work with them no matter what because the civilians have failed to take charge of the internal law & Order situation as they were not able to reform the police and other civilian law enforcement agencies. The government has to co-ordinate with the army so that they know that the government is interested in taking charge of the situation. When this government came how many meetings did the Prime Minister chaired regarding the Law & Order and how many regarding the electricity crisis. That will give you an idea of where the priorities are. And this allowed the army to take control of this major issue of the country and now you see that the government is asking for the army's help. Stop discriminating between militants who ever they are. Whether they are sectarian, nationalist, political or economic(including media) mafias. They all are part of this chaos in our country. Every body has to be under the law or else face the music. If you let one go then how can you take on the other which will surely cry foul over your intentions.
waw, great achievement that resolution has been passed. Now I m sure terrorist groups will stop such attacks. Well done Mr. interior minister saheb.
Not only speeches some practical work is needed.
These resolutions are worthless. Blaming democracy is childish too. Let's see what is done for the heroes (and their families) that laid down their lives protecting others. Is it going to be left to the government (as is typical for Pakistan) or are the people going to do something about it too (like people of the more civilized countries).
"Pakistan is in terminal decline" - Zafar Hilali Looks like he is not too far off the mark.
We are a country of selfish, Shameless, and Disgraceful people. Please read the article by Pervez Hoodbhoy the title is Why Pakistan is not a nation and how it could become one.
Yes Chaudhry Nisar should resign but what about Raheel and Zaheer and other 14 core commanders. What about people sitting in GHQ. What are they doing, why should always politicians face penalties.
Raheel, Zaheer, Officers of army listen, you have FAILED this country, step out.
ET - For sake of balance reporting please post this. We the PEOPLE must demand from our Military as well.
@Ch. Allah Daad: "Please explain what action we should take?"
Resign! and go away form this country and never come back!
oh a resolution has been passed. take that you terrorists.
I was expecting better performance by PML-N govt than previous PPP govt at the same time thinking that Ch Nisar would be much better than Rehman Malik, extremely bad luck of the country both of my expectations miserably proved wrong.
Why we always blames others for the mess in our country, instead why don't we set our house in order? Destabilization of our country id the main task of our enemies but the question is why do we constantly fail to safegaurde our national assets?
"NA passes resolutions condemning Karachi and Taftan attacks"
Great step by Pak government!!!
Many congratulation to fellow patriots!!!!!!
Now that the attacks are condemned by NA, this will be lesson for all. Nobody will dare to plan such attacks in future knowing very well that how fiercely Pakistani government can condemn such attacks.
There are speculations in various quarters that the terrorists actually wanted to hijack a plane with passengers. This would have been most scary. If true and had they been successful, they could have taken the plane with passengers to any other country, including India or Saudi Arabia to reenact 9/11. The air force of those countries would have had no choice but to shoot down the hijacked plane and this would have caused serious and unforeseen problems to Pakistan and many other countries.
However, the ASF did a commendable job in fighting back the terrorists and they deserve all praises.
Why is the international community not speaking out in support of Pakistan?
Clearly this is a False Flag attack, done by ISI with help of good Taliban. Just give a minute and think about it. 1. How did taliban get ASF id cards? 2. full operation was over in couple of hours in big airport, SSG knew exactly where these guys were? 3. Taliban had RPG and other weapons, they did not use it, why? 4. How come they did not blow up planes, they passed thru atleast 10 planes. 5. PA and ISI were taking lot of heat from India and Nato countries for attack on Herat, Indian embassy, and attack on Afgan president candidate Abdullah Abdullah. This is a diversion.
The world laughs at our attitude. Resolution after resolution. Incident after incident. Shameless people are not bothered no matter how many innocents are killed.
Lord of resolutions. Thats why people become weary of politicians so soon. They dont have the capacity to lead from the front.
Take that you terrorists ...that'll teach you a lesson...
Interestinly neither Ch. Nisar nor Imran Khan wo are flminating have bothered to name TTP who has owned the attack. The hypocrisy of calling TTP as misguided tribals on one hand and then simultaneously accusing India of funding them at other times is absurd. Besides being foolish. Why wold India fund a mindset that has harmed it in the past (goole IC 184).
What is the point of wasting time and money, on stating the obvious. The security forces responded timely? They are bound to do so, as we spend 60% off our budget on them. How long will a country run in reactive mode. Pro Action is required in the larger interest of the nation, and its healthy existence, as this reactive mode, is gradually eating us up like termites. This carrot and stick, divide and rule, approach will not help, as eventually all of them will turn against the government. Simple rule of law is to live by the rule of the country. Waste time on legislating those rules, and implement them with zero tolerance. Forget what the world says, even if you have to follow the islamic penalty system. Countries that work out their own strategies are successful in the long run, and the ones that fall prey to what others think, will remain confused and volatile forever.
Culprits are in Rawalpindi, not Tel Aviv, Delhi, Kabul, DC or Waziristan.
You need to go after their (TTP) mentors such as the Sami ul, Jhangvi, ASWJ etc, and others. They believe and articulate their terroristic/anti-Human beliefs in public. What a shame what a farce. Resolutions will not cut it. You need to stop the funding from GCC, England, and Saudi Arabia. US is not funding this terror.
Please have some shame and resign! The prime minister of South Korea resigned after an accident, show even an atom weight of honor and leave! and while you are at it, buy a cell phone! We all know your wife answers your phones for you...you pathetic excuse for for a hair club for men member....
@Waseem: What would make you realize that PM is not interested. if he was really serious he would have done something a year ago!. He is THE PM for God's sake!! and its a known fact that he makes all decisions in his palace. Who would the parliamentarians talk to when the ruling party is not even in the room. OK if they don't like the opposition..fine. but what is the strategy does PML-N propose to tackle this terrorism? I haven't seen anything yet in 12 months nor do I expect anything from this govt. Yesterday i didn't hear anything from the PM or Int Min till late last night regarding the attack. It hurts me when true patriotics like you and many more insist that the opposition should work in hand with the ruling govt but what you don't see that govt itself is not interested in engaging itself into any debates.
@ Maverick. IK has approved the military operation but you should look into his reasoning also. He was right to say that talk to them. Now their is a split in Taliban as Mahsoods are out. It will be a lot easier for the army now to take them down.
@MA you are right but do you think that this can continue. Pakistan is going down if this nonsense is not stopped. They will not be able to revive the economy. It has to be done whether he comes to the Assembly or not. He will not be able to take a solo flight in this case. he needs the political backing. if he thinks that this is not the problem of Punjab then he is completely mistaken and he will soon know that his precious Punjab will not remain safe if the fire keeps on burning around it. The biggest problem with our federation is that the federating units are competing with each other instead of co-operating. Each one wants to see the other one going down. When they gave KPK to PTI they thought that PTI will go down but they never considered that if PTI will go down than it will also bring KPK down too which will be big disaster for Pakistan. This thinking has to stop.
We'll done brave ASF personnel
PTI fans should remember that it is their Imran Qalabazi Khan who is always making noises against any military operation against terrorists. What happens if Nisar and Government resigns? Oh yes Taliban will stop carrying out attacks.
@ abid. You are right. They call army for everything because there priorities are not right. They have done nothing to improve the police which is the most corrupt department. Just look into the budget of these provincial governments. How much they spend on training and improving the police. This is creating problems. Right now they should realise that the biggest problem that the country face is terrorism and they should increase funding for it even at the expense of the development budget. Security comes first every thing else comes later. This will reduce our dependence on the army as well to handle the law and order problems. The best thing should be to use the technology and install CCTV camera in all the major cities. The governments should realise that this should be the priority before making metros or Mass Transit Systems and other expensive projects which are not our requirement right now.
Please go beyond to censuring such incidents, Its time to blow the whistle and to take practical measures in order to keep the whole nation with you otherwise red line is very near to be crossed.
we don't need NA which simply passes a resolution to condemn these attacks. we need action, a real one, a scary action to completely eliminate the enemy.
@Waseem: time for you to wake up and smell the coffee...PML-N has clearly showed their priorities lay elsewhere. to quote you "The only thing i think government should do is make a decisive decision regarding going after the terrorist on the assembly floor and all the major political parties...."
Have you been hiding under the rock or what?...PM saab doesn't even attend the parliamentary sessions. Security and structural reforms should have been his priorities not building metro buses and highways....
Passing resolution has become an exercise in National assembly. it's the most easiest thing to do ..after 3 , 4 days another attack will take place and another resolution will be passed but nothing practical will be done as it is the case since 11 years. Pakistan has no government honestly.For everything army is required be it policing, vaccination etc. One wonders what is the role of prime minister and other ministers. Some ministers can only do verbal condemnation while others cant even condemn. This is Pakistan. Pakistan is sinking ..please i appeal somebody save Pakistan as the political leadership are themselves are afraid of terrorists.
You know, in certain older civilized cultures, when men failed as entirely as you have, they would throw themselves on their swords. - Serenity.
I am a PTI supporter but i think this is not the time to ask for Ch. Nisar resignation. No body resigned due to 9/11 in America. In fact they looked into their mistakes and came up with the solution for the future. We should do the same. This war is just beginning their will be many more causalities. We should be ready for that and should not become a cry baby. The only thing i think government should do is make a decisive decision regarding going after the terrorist on the assembly floor and all the major political parties (PML-N, PTI, PPP) except Ji and JUI (Which will surely go against it) should forge a consensus that it will not be stopped untill every terrorist is killed or captured whether it take 5 years or 10 years. and tell the nation to get ready for this long and painful war which is inevitable.
hahahaha they should poverty, rape, murder, stealing. i am sure it will all stop just because a resolution has been passed.
Passing resolutions = putting salt on our wounds. Shame on entire democracy.
Inferior Minister
I condemn passing of this resolution and demand your resignation for not taking a stern action, hence failing miserably in performing your duties Mr Interior Minister!!!
wow, such commitment
Keep passing resolutions and do nothing else; It is only innocent people getting killed, so what?? It is only useless people who were slaughtered by these bearded animals, but the real loss is the terrorists who were killed in the crossfire and were exterminated. PML-N keep talking, it is good for your health and wealth; So, let these terrorist shoot & kill people and you idiots in ruling party keep shooting your mouth off;
Please resign, Mr Chaudhary Nisar! You have totally failed!