The National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed two resolutions, condemning terrorist attacks on the Karachi airport and Zaireen (pilgrims) in Taftan. Earlier, in the backdrop of terrorist attacks on airport in Karachi and pilgrims in Taftan Balochistan, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said while briefing the House that there is a need to review all security options to combat the growing threats of terrorism and extremism in the country.
The Interior Minister argued that all the four provinces have to agree on the lowest common dominator if the security options are reviewed. In this difficult situation, the provincial governments are required to review their security policy, he added. He also felt the need that provinces have to realise their responsibilities as after the 18th amendment they have been transferred more powers and resources. The Interior Minister said terrorists who attacked the terminal of old Karachi airport appear to be foreigners. He said the CCTV excerpts showed that the heavily armed ten terrorists were tall and fair. Their features are different from us and the neighbouring country. The bodies of terrorists are with the security forces and the experts are carrying out biometrics and post-mortems.
He said the objective of the terrorists was to target the aircraft and capture a particular place to make the people hostage. The Minister said terrorists were equipped with weapons such as Kalashnikov, grenades and rocket launchers. The Minister expressed satisfaction that the terrorists failed to achieve their objectives to target the national assets. He also clarified that no tank but any normal bullet proof vehicles were employed in the operation against terrorists. Rejecting the criticism of opposition members, Nisar said the Interior Ministry had sent a report to Sindh government and the department of Rangers Force about a threat to Karachi airport. He said that as many as six intelligence alerts had been issued so far since November last. Two alerts were Karachi-specific; and these were shared with the Sindh government and the law enforcement agencies.
"We should face the reality by putting aside petty politics and pointing scoring. Civil, military and political leadership, civil society and media should be united to steer the country out of the prevalent crisis," he said. He called upon country's media to cooperate with the security forces, adding live coverage of terror incidents is creating problems for the law enforcement agencies.
About the Taftan brutal act, the Minster said that following the previous incidents, airline was resorted between Mashhad and Quetta but pilgrims still prefer to travel through land route, which he said, is difficult to be overseen vigilantly. He suggested that a parliamentary committee mainly comprising members of the house from Balochistan and Shia community should be formed to persuade the pilgrims to avoid using the land routes for the security of their lives. The resolutions were moved by Federal Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid in which were unanimously adopted. The first resolution said, "This House strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the old terminal of Karachi Airport on Sunday/Monday night of 8th - 9th June, 2014 resulting in the loss of many precious lives, injuries to many others and damage to government and private properties. This House also expresses grave concern over the death of seven workers in the cold storage. It prays for the departed souls and expresses its deepest sympathies with the bereaved families.
"This House pays rich tribute to the brave personnel of Pakistan Army, Airport Security Force, Police and other law-enforcement agencies who successfully and courageously countered the attacks and cleared all the sensitive areas in a very short time. This House salutes all the security personnel who embraced shahadat, sacrificing their lives in the discharge of their duties, defending the national/public interest.
"This House expresses its full authority and support for the security and law enforcing agencies and resolves to steadfastly stand with them in the defence of the nation." According to the second resolution, "this House strongly condemns the dastardly and inhuman terrorist act on Zaireen (pilgrims) in Taftan, Balochistan on June 8, 2014 resulting in the loss of many innocent lives and injuries to many others.
"This House notes that the Prime Minister has already directed the law enforcing agencies to take action against the perpetrators of the attack on the pilgrims and calls upon both the federal government and provincial government of Balochistan to provide the best possible medical assistance to the injured person, vigorously pursue the search for the terrorists till they are arrested and brought to justice and ensure security for the Zaireen. "This House strongly condemns terrorism and sectarianism in all its forms and manifestations."
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