Joint opposition in the Senate on Monday walked out to protest against alleged 'state oppression to crush the voice of dissent.' The House passed a unanimous resolution to protest against the European Parliament's attitude vis-a-vis Senator Maulana Samiul Haq in Belgium. The member-elect Qari Mohammad Abdullah, wearing a black turban, a lookalike of Ayman Zawahiri, was administered oath as the Senate started proceedings with 80-minute delay.
The session was requisitioned by the opposition to discuss Kashmir policy, law and order with particular reference to Balochistan and price hike. Two separate resolutions were passed to pay homage to Pope John Paul II and condole the death of ex-speaker of NWFP Assembly, Hidayatullah Chamkani.
Leader of the Opposition, Mian Raza Rabbani, on a point of order, poured scorn on the Federal government and held it responsible for drubbing of PPPP, MMA and Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement activists and manhandling of members of the Parliament and provincial assemblies.
"We want to make it clear that for any political consequences or harm to the Federation owing to the government's repressive policy, the rulers will be held accountable," he cautioned.
Describing the era of late General Ziaul Haq as the darkest in the sub-continent's history, he said that the opposition even today would not give in on its principled stand on democracy and the Parliament's sovereignty.
He charged that from March 15 to April 25, the process of political victimisation of opposition parties was continuing unabated. The Senator added that from October 1999, 'efforts were on to marginalise' the voice of dissent'.
Rabbani saw the Centre's involvement in all actions aimed at targeting the opposition from NWFP to Punjab and from Sindh to Balochistan.
"What message the Centre had sent to the provinces by stopping political workers of PPP at NWFP-Punjab border and Punjab-Sindh border, who wanted to welcome Asif Zardari. The rulers are playing with the solidarity of the Federation," he said.
The Senator said that the government was trying to turn Pakistan into 'pocket-type provinces', fanning provincialism.
Rabbani made mention of arrests and filing of cases under the ATA of MMA and PONM activists who wanted to observe strike on May 31 and April 2 in line with their constitutional and democratic rights.
He questioned where had the pledge of Musharraf to promote inter-provincial harmony had gone, which was a major point of his seven-point agenda.
Earlier, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar informed the House that the government had taken a strong note of Maulana Samiul Haq issue.
He also assured the members that the incident of stopping the Maulana and questioning him by the British police would also be investigated. Samiul Haq narrated the story and alleged that it was a glaring example of the failure of the foreign policy.
He lamented that despite what had happened to him in Belgium and the reaction back home, British authorities again singled him out and subjected to discriminatory behaviour.
He demanded end to this 'saga of misbehaviour' to religious people abroad despite the government's claim of following the policy of enlightened moderation.
Raza Rabbani held the Foreign Office responsible for the incidents and said despite knowing Samiul Haq and his seminary's reputation abroad, why he was chosen to represent the country.
He added that when members of the Parliament were dragged on roads and put behind bars for no crime, such treatment was quite understandable.
"When an SHO drags a parliamentarian and beats him up. How can you expect to be treated differently outside the country?" he maintained.
Rabbani said that some heads in the Foreign Office must roll for bringing shame to the Parliament and above all the country.
Mushahid Hussain Syed, who headed the delegation, told the House that it was not EU or Germany's policy: they were given visas and warmly welcomed there.