PA session: Lawmakers call for concrete action against terrorists
Members welcome Imran Khan’s decision to call off protest
LAHORE:
While strongly condemning the Peshawar attack, lawmakers called on Friday for concrete steps to counter terrorism during the Punjab Assembly session.
The house suspended the agenda and opened the floor for discussion over the Peshawar attack. On December 16, the assembly had passed a resolution condemning the attack.
The hour-long session included intense discussion on the incident with lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches condemning the attack. MPA Azma Zahid Bukhari said it was sad to see the media giving air time to people who refrained from openly condemning terrorists. “It is the shortcoming of the political leadership that the country now stands at this critical juncture,” she said.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s decision to call off the dharna was also received well by lawmakers.
MPA Raja Ashfaq Sawar said that the government had promised to rid the country of the menace of terrorism. He said it was very encouraging that all political parties were on the same page to defend the country.
Malik Muhammad Waris Kallu said that those who had held power had never worked for the country. “The real focus of politicians has been their own political objectives,” he said.
Ehsan Riaz Fatyana said that it was heartwarming to see lawmakers condemn the horrific incident in Peshawar. “This cannot undo what has been done. No matter how strongly we condemn the attack, it can never bring back those who lost their lives that day,” he said.
Aamir Sultan Cheema said that the government must spend more on counter terrorism. “A solid counter-terrorism strategy must be formulated,” he said.
Vaqas Hassan Mokal said that the government needed to take strong measures. “The government must take steps to ensure the safety of its citizens. It must formulate a long-term, counter-terrorism strategy. Those students cannot be returned to their families through speeches and prayers,” he said.
Later, talking to The Express Tribune, he said there was fear in the air. “It is going to get worse before it gets better. There is going to be fallout of the counter-terrorist activities being undertaken,” he said. Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani said that the Peshawar incident had transformed the nation. “All political parties have set their political differences aside in these trying times. This tragedy has brought us together.” The session was adjourned till Monday 3pm.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2014.
While strongly condemning the Peshawar attack, lawmakers called on Friday for concrete steps to counter terrorism during the Punjab Assembly session.
The house suspended the agenda and opened the floor for discussion over the Peshawar attack. On December 16, the assembly had passed a resolution condemning the attack.
The hour-long session included intense discussion on the incident with lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches condemning the attack. MPA Azma Zahid Bukhari said it was sad to see the media giving air time to people who refrained from openly condemning terrorists. “It is the shortcoming of the political leadership that the country now stands at this critical juncture,” she said.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s decision to call off the dharna was also received well by lawmakers.
MPA Raja Ashfaq Sawar said that the government had promised to rid the country of the menace of terrorism. He said it was very encouraging that all political parties were on the same page to defend the country.
Malik Muhammad Waris Kallu said that those who had held power had never worked for the country. “The real focus of politicians has been their own political objectives,” he said.
Ehsan Riaz Fatyana said that it was heartwarming to see lawmakers condemn the horrific incident in Peshawar. “This cannot undo what has been done. No matter how strongly we condemn the attack, it can never bring back those who lost their lives that day,” he said.
Aamir Sultan Cheema said that the government must spend more on counter terrorism. “A solid counter-terrorism strategy must be formulated,” he said.
Vaqas Hassan Mokal said that the government needed to take strong measures. “The government must take steps to ensure the safety of its citizens. It must formulate a long-term, counter-terrorism strategy. Those students cannot be returned to their families through speeches and prayers,” he said.
Later, talking to The Express Tribune, he said there was fear in the air. “It is going to get worse before it gets better. There is going to be fallout of the counter-terrorist activities being undertaken,” he said. Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani said that the Peshawar incident had transformed the nation. “All political parties have set their political differences aside in these trying times. This tragedy has brought us together.” The session was adjourned till Monday 3pm.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2014.