The National Assembly on Monday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on GHQ and unanimously passed a resolution saying that the nation is fully united against all threats to the security, integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan. The motion was moved by Leader of Opposition in National Assembly and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Zaheeruddin Babar Awan in the House.
The motion described as, "This House pays rich tribute to the soldiers of GHQ Rawalpindi and unanimously resolves that our soldiers have rendered countless sacrifices in the defence of the nation." The motion says that the House also resolves to stand united firmly against all threats to the security, integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan. The House unanimously condemned the attack on the army General Headquarters."
The members of the Lower House strongly condemned the blasts of Peshawar, Shangla and terrorist attacks on GHQ. They also paid rich tribute to the army for fighting against terrorism. Federal Minster for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira strongly condemned the terrorist attack on GHQ and said on a point of order the military as well as civil and other forces were being probed for this incident. He said that we have to fight the mindset that is spreading such ideology in the society to curb the menace of terrorism.
The information minister lauded the services of the Pakistan Army and said they fought bravely against the elements that were posing threat not only to the country but to the region. Karia also paid rich tributes to the army and those soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending the country. He said that as many as 2000 soldiers have been martyred after the 9/11 incident and more than 600 in Swat fighting terrorists.
"The best armed forces of the world with latest technology and equipment have failed to secure even Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan after years of stay. But it is our security forces that have eliminated the terrorists' from Swat and Malakanad within weeks, the Minister said. The Minister on the floor of the House offered the opposition to give meaningful suggestions to root out terrorism from the country. He said that Opposition should support the government to fight terrorism.
About private TV channel, the minister said that the government did not off air any channel. He said that the government believes in the freedom of expression and media. He said that the media should make its policy and code of conduct. He said the IDPs rehabilitation was a gigantic task but "we have also successfully re-settled them and now the reconstruction phase is about to start." He recalled that even at that time, the people in and outside the Parliament use to say it was an impossible task.
The Minister also condemned the incident of 12th October 1999 in which General toppled a democratic government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). He termed it a black day in the history of the country.
Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan strongly condemned the attack on GHQ and said that it was very serious security lapse. He paid tribute to army soldiers and officers on fighting bravely against terrorists. He said that an inquiry of this incident should be conducted. He said that the government should shun traditional security measures and adopt scientific methods to control such incidents. He said that Islamabad has become red zone and even GHQ was not secure.
About Kerry-Lugar Bill, the opposition leader said that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qurashi has gone to Washington while the debate was continuing in the parliament. He said that Interior and Foreign Ministers should be present in the House at this critical juncture. The opposition also criticised the government and said that it was trying to press the voice of media. "When the terrorists were attacking GHQ the government was attacking private TV channels to stop them from the coverage of this incident.
Chaudhry Nisar strongly condemned the incident of 12th October 1999. He said that General Musharraf violated the constitution by toppling a democratic government. He said that the government should not hesitate and conduct trial of Musharraf under Article-6 of the Constitution. Engineer Amir Muqam of PML-Q strongly condemned suicide blast in Peshawar, Shangla and terrorist attack on GHQ. He said that all political parties and nation should be united to fight terrorism in the country.
About Kerry Lugar Bill, he said that it needed review. He said, we should give a strong message as a united nation to the US against the Bill. Wasim Akhtar of MQM said that all the political parties should unite to get rid of terrorism in the country. In this regard, he said that All Parties Conference (APC) should be called.