The National Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed two resolutions. One resolution expressed deep concern and sorrow over the tragic fires in Karachi and Lahore factories. Through the other resolution, the house strongly condemned the airing of a highly sacrilegious film produced in the US.
The resolution elaborates that this House regrets and expresses grave concern and sorrow over the tragic fire incidents in Lahore and Karachi, resulting in loss of innocent lives and injuries to many persons, declaring it a national disaster. The resolution recommends that the provincial governments of Punjab and Sindh must immediately constitute a Judicial Commission to probe the fire incidents and fix responsibility on the owners of factories and buildings for not providing proper facilities to workers and also not following and implementing relevant rules and laws.
It also recommended fixing responsibility on the government servants for not enforcing relevant rules and laws in letter and sprit, ordering direct registration of FIRs against culprits to bring them to justice. The resolution recommended that to carry out necessary legislation to avoid such incidents in future, it also recommended necessary compensation to the families of the victims and the injured.
Through the other resolution, the House strongly condemned the airing of a defamatory video clip in the US. "Such actions, synchronised with commemoration of atrocious events like 9/11, provoke hatred, discord and enmity within societies and between people of various faiths. The event has deeply hurt the feelings of the people of Pakistan and the Muslims all over the world," the resolution said.
It also described that Pakistan is a strong proponent of interfaith harmony and believes that all manifestations of extremist tendencies must be opposed. Law Minister Farooq H Naek moved these two resolutions separately in the House for passage. The House unanimously passed these resolutions.
Earlier, the House unanimously suspended its orders of the day to discuss these two issues. While initiating discussion, Birjees Tahir of PML-N expressed solidarity with the families of the victims of fire incidents. He said there is a dire need to investigate the incident thoroughly and fix the responsibility.
Hamid Saeed Kazmi in his remarks said there is great need to define a building code and its strict implementation. He said all the political forces must play their due role in this regard. Syed Asif Hasnain of MQM said it is big tragic incident in the history of Pakistan. We forget such incidents after few days. But there is a lesson for the government and civil society to develop a mechanism to avoid such incidents in future. He also said there is a great need to implement labour laws strictly. He also demanded of the Prime Minister to provide necessary equipment to fire brigade in big cities and announce compensation for the affected people.
Sardar Bahadur Khan Sihar said responsibility lies with the owners of the industries to provide all the required facilities to the employees for their safe working. He said the trade unions must be made effective to safeguard the rights of the employees. Pervez Malik demanded constitution of a commission for inquiry into the incidents. He said the inspection of the factories and industries must be ensured by the concerned inspectors for checking building designs‚ electricity and other installations.
Khawaja Saad Rafique said that the responsibility of the incidents lies with the provincial governments and the concerned district administration. He said that today's session must provide a clear guideline to the provincial governments to avoid such incidents in future.
Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan expressing solidarity with the families of the victims of the fire accidents said his party fully supports the government's initiative in this regard. He said that it is the worst incident in the history of Pakistan. He said that many incidents took place in the past, but it is a matter of sorrow that various governments did not take any measure in this regard. We forget such incidents after some days but we do not work for future to protect ourselves from such incidents.
He also condemned the sacrilegious film that was released in United States about two week ago. He said that it is the worst unethical attitude about the Muslims religion, Islam. "The right of freedom of expression is only for these people not Muslim. The occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan and drone attacks in the territory of Pakistan by America is not terrorism?" he questioned.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira condemned the airing of defamatory video clip in the United States saying the Foreign Office has already strongly condemned it. He said those who claim to be the champions of human rights must also take care of the feelings of others. He said all the nations must respect the religions of the people of the world.
MNAs Federal Minister Akram Masih Gill and Dr Nelson belonging to Christian community strongly condemned the airing of defamatory video clip in the US saying that the United Nations should take notice of it. They said some people want to create a dangerous gulf between Muslims and Christians. Those who spoke in support of the resolution included Haider Abbas Rizvi‚ Maulana Attaur Rehman‚ Haji Fazal Karim‚ Mahmood Hayat Tochi. The House has now been prorogued for indefinite period.