NA unanimously passes resolution to condemn train attack

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution strongly condemning the hijacking of Jaffar Express and all acts of terrorism that endanger lives of people and disrupt peace.

The resolution moved by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry bearing signatures of representatives of all the parties, appreciated Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Frontier Corps, SSG and other law enforcement agencies for their unwavering commitment, bravery and sacrifice in safeguarding the lives of citizens and protecting the integrity of Pakistan.

It recognised that their heroic efforts in neutralising the terrorists involved in the attack on Jaffar Express reflect the resolve and readiness of security forces to defend the nation at all costs.

The House expressed the resolve to take every possible measure to eliminate terrorism from every corner of the country, affirming that no group, individual and ideology that seeks to undermine the nation’s security, prosperity and sovereignty would be allowed to spread fear, hatred and violence within the territorial limits of the country. It also pledged not to allow any terrorist activity to go unchecked, ensuring that whoever attempts for destabilisation, faces full force of the law.

It expressed the commitment to working relentlessly to root out terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The House called upon the people regardless of their ethnicity and religion to unite in the fight against terrorism and reject extremism, ensuring peace, safety and prosperity for future generations.

Meanwhile, the parliamentarians from the government and opposition benches traded barbs in the House. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif came harsh on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for what he said politicising the recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan, saying that the entire world stood with Pakistan except the PTI. He said that the PTI leaders were making incident their yet another topic of politics at a time when the whole nation of 250 million people was concerned over lives of hostages. Asif said those who were calling the government (a product) of Form 47, have had three martial laws, whose elders abrogated the Constitution of Pakistan for the first time.

He said the PTI was under General Bajwa’s patronage but today, they were not ready to defend the same institution. He said the Balochistan crisis began during Ayub Khan’s time when there was an agreement with the Baloch feudals, under which they were called back from the mountains and given amnesty, but Ayub Khan had them hanged. He said PTI was siding with BLA.

He claimed that the PTI instructed workers to utter abusive words on social media as the operation was underway, PTI officials were busy in pointing out the shortcomings of the government and the establishment.

He said the X account of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, which he does not operate himself, made a post saying, “The primary role of intelligence agencies is to protect borders and counter terrorism. If they remain occupied with political engineering and attempting to dismantle Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), then who will safeguard the borders?”

“My brothers in Parachinar have been holding a banner for the last four months. Has there been peace there?” Asif asked while referring to the violence in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the PTI is in power. He lauded Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti for standing tall before the terrorists, adding that the PTI was scared to even make a statement against terrorists. “I admit that my party, the people, and myself were complicit,” the minister said, recalling the martial law declared in the 1980s. “They need to look at their past. I am looking at mine and asking for forgiveness,” he said.

Asif criticised the PTI leadership for not acknowledging the country’s economic recovery and the armed forces’ fight against terrorism.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the terror attack in Balochistan and praised security forces for successful Jaffar Express operation saving lives of innocent people. Bilawal said an attempt was made to kidnap him from the Prime Minister House when he was a one-year-old child and then his mother shifted him to London, adding that that after many attempts Benazir Bhutto was martyred in a terrorist attack.

Later, he said a series of terror attacks began without a break, and elimination of this menace of terrorism seemed as an impossible task. “But the nation and political leadership and officials and jawans of security forces and law enforcement agencies eliminated this menace,” he said.

But, Bilawal said all successes against terrorism have fizzled out and the country was passing through most difficult times, and there was no more political consensus on the issue at present while the international powers were taking advantage of lack of unity in the country.

He observed that every act of terrorism carries more intensity than the previous ones because terrorists have no ideology or religion, and their only objective is to kill innocent people and spread terror in the state and want to stop country’s progress with financial support from outside.

He questioned as to what was relation of those innocent people killed in train attack with region’s geo-politics and system of the country. He said it was very easy to condemn terrorists but the question arises as to how an agenda against terrorists be evolved.

The PPP chairman said that all the political parties present in the National Assembly should admit that terrorists who were involved in attack on Jaffar Express and other terror acts were their common enemies. He maintained that if political leadership fails to develop a consensus on the issue then the menace would spread to the country, whole region, and the world.

Turning to the speech of President Asif Ali Zardari, he said: “It was not a speech of division and hatred politics but a speech of consensus and unity in which the president called for politics of give and take inside the National Assembly and also covered issues of economy, foreign affairs, terrorism and burning issue of water and also welcomed government’s measures for economic progress. We should all welcome government’s performance for country’s economic progress because economic stability is in country’s interest.”

Bilawal advised the PTI leadership that while they may have an emotional attachment to their party’s founder, there are more pressing issues that need to be addressed. “There are also politicians and people with other affiliations who have no interest in whether he is referred to as Prisoner Number 804 or released,” he said.

He emphasized that, alongside the demand for the release of Prisoner Number 804, the PTI leadership and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government have other responsibilities. “This is my serious advice to them: they should also focus on issues like unemployment, formulate a policy against terrorism, and initiate at least one development project, rather than solely demanding the release of Prisoner Number 804,” he said.

PTI parliamentarian and former Speaker Asad Qaiser expressed disappointment that the defence minister did not provide details about the Jaffar Express attack or take the House into confidence. He regretted that it seemed the minister was preoccupied with PTI and social media issues.

Asad Qaiser stated that the defence minister should have demonstrated moral courage by tendering his resignation for the serious security lapse. “How can a policy against terrorism be devised when there is no representative government at the Centre, and no respect for the Constitution?” he questioned. He alleged that the security lapse occurred because all efforts were focused on maligning and targeting a political party. “If Khawaja Asif had any shame and dignity, he should have resigned,” he said.

Asad Qaiser emphasised the need for strong institutions and a parliament with true representation, capable of making all decisions. Asad Qaiser challenged all allied parties of the government to contest elections against the PTI with a single symbol, provided there is a level-playing field. He demanded that the government involve Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in any decision regarding the deportation of Afghan nationals.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQMP) parliamentarian Dr Farooq Sattar condemned the attack on the Jaffar Express and the loss of innocent lives, while also praising the security forces for their bravery in rescuing the hostages.

He called for a lasting solution to ensure peace in the country, rather than temporary firefighting measures. Dr Sattar noted that he could have taken advantage of the debate on the president’s address to express polarised views, but he emphasized the need for national unity to defeat terrorism. He urged the government to convene an all parties conference in the wake of Jaffar Express attack. He also criticised an allied party of the federal government for practising, what he described as, the worst governance in Sindh province.

At the outset, the House offered Fateha for the security personnel and passengers martyred in the terror attack on the Jaffar Express.