NA passes resolution demanding arrest of Dr Soomro's murderers

Lawmakers questions failure of intelligence agencies in solving high profile profile murder cases

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Monday passed a unanimous resolution condemning the tragic target murder of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) lawmaker Dr Khalid Soomro and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible as lawmakers expressed concern over the fast deteriorating law and order situation in the country.

Following the question and answer session, Pakhtunkhawa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Awami National Party (ANP) leader Ghulam Ahmad Bilour questioned the role of all six military and civilian intelligence agencies. "Why can't they get any lead in such attacks," asked Achakzai. “No one has the right to kill someone,” he added.

They noted that from the murder of Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan's first prime minister, to the assassination of two time premier and Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) chairperson Benazir Bhutto, the country’s security apparatus had failed to expose perpetrators behind such high profile murders.

“We have a powerful army, strong intelligence network and powerful people so the intelligence agencies must expose the names of culprits,” Achakzai said. Lamenting the fact that “the son of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani is still in the captivity of the terrorists,” Achakzai said, these agencies must tell lawmakers who was behind it. He further exhorted that those responsible for the attacks on ANP’s chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, Qaumi Watan Party’s chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, Pakistan Peoples Party’s chairperson Benazir Bhutto and many others must be exposed.

JUI-F lawmakers also staged a token walk out, demanding the arrest of culprits involved in the attack on JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehamn.

Citing attacks against various party leaders, JUI-F MNA Maulana Gohar Shah said that foreign agencies including RAW and BlackWater are also operating in the country and the government should also take this aspect into consideration during the investigation of these attacks.

Qari Muhammad Yousaf said that the JUI-F was against violence and murder of any person is equally condemnable irrespective of faith. Claiming that the JUI-F chief has survived six attacks, he asked, “I don’t know why we are being targeted.” Answering his own query, Yousaf suggested that, “It might be because of our pro-democracy approach.”

Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z) chief Ijazul Haq claimed that claimed that a proxy war has been launched in Pakistan in wake of 9/11.

Speaking on the issue of bodies recovered in Sindh, PPP’s Nawab Yousaf Talpur said that no one should be targeted because of their affiliation with nationalist or other political parties.

MNA Ghaus Bax Mehar suggested that law and order should not be taken lightly and that it was the responsibility of the provincial government, with the assistance of federal government, to put an end to such violence.

Reaction to PTI’s call for countrywide strikes

There was silence in the house over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s call to bring country to the standstill.

However, ruling party MNA Marvi Memon criticised PTI chief for his ‘hidden agenda’.

No federal minister or any other member of the house touched upon topic.

The Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah made a brief appearance before leaving to consult with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over a new head of the Election Commission of Pakistan.