FROM A RINGSIDE SEAT

The issue of US-based security firm's, Blackwater, presence in Pakistan dominated the Tuesday's proceedings of Lower House of the Parliament, as Interior Minister Rehman Malik faced barrage of questions from the opposition particularly from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) seeking clarifications about the presence of the US security agency in Pakistan.
The opposition seemed furious on law and order situation in the country, specifically the twin blasts in Karachi on Friday and termed it a total failure of law enforcement agencies. They showed their astonishment and disgust emphasising why the people of Karachi were suffering due to the differences between the coalition partners ie, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Quami Movement.
Bringing the matter on record, the members of PML-N drew the attention of Interior Minister through a calling attention notice with regard to the presence of Blackwater in the NWFP for security of US officials. On denial of the government that the agency was not present in Pakistan, Chaudhry Muhammad Berjeez Thair, Sheikh Aftab Ahmed and other members referred to tons of media reports about the activities of the notorious US agency in Pakistan.
They also referred to the statement of US Defence Secretary Robert Gates in which he had confirmed that the private security outfits Blackwater and DynCorp are operating in Pakistan. On the other hand, government was seemed hell bent to defy the presence of such an agency as Rehman Malik on November 21 had stated that he would resign if it was proved that US-based security firm Blackwater was operating inside Pakistan.
But the members were not satisfied with the answer of Interior Minister and emphasised on bringing the reality and exact policy of the government regarding Blackwater to fore. To satisfy the opposition, Rehman Malik said he is ready to give an in-camera briefing to the House on the issue and want to provide the members with information about things, which are not in their knowledge.
However, the Minster admitted that General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) had signed an agreement with US security agency DynCorp in 2003 for training of law enforcement agencies and FC to handle situation in FATA more professionally. On the proposal of the Minister, the opposition members showed their readiness on holding in-camera briefing, but Deputy Speaker Fasial Karim Kundi made it clear that in-camera proceeding would be held on the request of the Leader of the House.
While winding up the debate on Karachi incident, Interior Minister put the responsibility of law and order situation on the provincial governments under Article-74 of the constitution to get rid of opposition's queries. He told the House that it was collective responsibility, only the Prime Minister or Interior Minister was not accountable to everything. Rehman said that a joint investigation team has found some leads of Karachi twin-blast, saying that the involvement of foreign hand cannot be ruled out.
He also claimed that Lashker-e-Jangvi, Jashay-e-Muhammad and other banned organisations were involved in destabilising the city. Malik said the primary investigation into the bomb blasts of Aashura procession in Karachi revealed that an outfit "Jundullah" is involved.
The probe into the attack on Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was Punjab government's subject; however, the federal government would extend full co-operation to the province, if required Rehman Malik replied to a query about the attempted murder. In today's (Tuesday) sitting, it is observed that the members were not taking the proceeding of the house seriously.
Most of the members were busy in mini-meetings inside the hall. It was interesting to note that Haider Abbas Razvi of MQM went to the seat of Abdul Qadir Patel of PPP who is MNA from Kemari, Karachi. Both the members were seen in pleasant mood. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani came to the House as per routine and remained present for a short while. During his stay, he was seen busy in signing the applications of the members.