The NWFP Assembly on Saturday passed resolution unanimously demanding of the federal government to boycott the products of Denmark and other European Union countries, whose unbridled newspapers, had made a mockery of freedom of speech and carried sacrilegious cartoons of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
The resolution tabled by Abdul Akbar Khan of the Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarian was endorsed by the parliamentary leaders of the opposition parties and treasury benches, calling upon the Islamabad to register a strongest protest with the European Union by severing trade ties with its member nations. The EU stance on the sacrilegious issue had hurt the Muslim across the world as it might widen the gulf between the Muslims and the Christians, it added.
It said the sacrilegious attitude of the European press would pave way for the clash of religions and civilisations in future. This august House, representing NWFP people, asked the European Union to review its stand and stop lending a political support to the culprits involved in the sacrilegious act.
Speaking on the issue, parliamentary leaders of both sides of the House said it was a matter of life and death for the Muslims. He said every Muslim would prefer to sacrifice even his life for the sake of their beloved Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
Earlier, Yasmin Khalid, Sabira Shakir, Zobaida Khatoon, Fauzia Farrukh, Shagufta Naz, Aftab Shabbir, Nargas Zain and Muzaffar Said tabled a joint adjournment motion, demanding a debate on the sacrilegious issue. After admitting the motion, the House got it converted into a joint resolution and adopted it unanimously.
The House also adopted another resolution demanding holding of Senate elections through a show-of-hand to end the horse-trading in the province.
Bashir Ahmed Bilour of the Awami National Party read out the resolution, duly signed by the parliamentary leaders of the opposition and treasury benches.
Except Qazi Mohammad Asad Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), all other MPAs endorsed and adopted it. When Speaker Bakht Jahan Khan announced the resolution was passed unanimously, Qazi Asad quickly rose into his seat and said: "I oppose it, as it is unconstitutional. If this House wants to stop the bad exercise of horse trading it should ask the Centre to hold direct elections for the Senate." His fellow PML (Q) lawmakers, however, endorsed the resolution.
Earlier, on a point of order, Atiqur Rehman from Hangu drew the attention of the House towards a violent incident in his district on 10th of Muharram in which 40 people were killed and 60 others were injured. Besides this carnage, he said the arsonists set the entire baazar on fire, which engulfed markets and shops, leaving hundreds of people without any business, he added.
He demanded an early payment of compensation to the affected families and shopkeepers. Endorsing demand of his party comrade, Bashir Ahmed Bilour also regretted the law and order situation in the province and asked the government to come forward and restore its confidence among the people. Anwar Kamal of the PML (N) also lashed out at the MMA government for deteriorating law and order across the province.
Clarifying his government position, Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani said soon after that suicidal incident the government had ordered separate judicial and police inquiries to establish the causes behind the tragic incident. He said: "I have arranged a chopper to airlift the injured from Hangu and admit them in Kohat and other hospitals. I have sent information minister Asif Iqbal to Kohat. He visited the injured and inquired about treatment."
He said the government had announced payment of Rs 100,000 to the family of each dead and Rs 50,000 to the each injured person.
Similarly, Durrani said the police had arrested scores of miscreants involved in ransacking of shops and trade centres on February 15 in the city and recovered TV and mobile sets and computers from them. The culprits involved in the destruction of Daewoo bus terminal would also be booked very soon, he added.
About the rehabilitation of earthquake survivors, he said the government was in touch with the central relief, rehabilitation and repatriation agencies on this issue. Later, the proceedings of the house adjourned till Monday.
Comments
Comments are closed.